HC Deb 11 July 1949 vol 467 cc29-30
59. Mr. Mott-Radclyffe

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs upon what grounds the Polish Government have based their refusal to allow His Majesty's Consul in Warsaw to visit Mrs. Halin Firth in prison, following her arrest by the security police nearly two months ago.

Mr. Mayhew

The Polish Government have informed His Majesty's Ambassador at Warsaw that they are unable to allow Mrs. Firth to see His Majesty's Consul on the ground that she is under preventive arrest in order that a legal investi- gation may be made into the crimes of which she is accused; and that in such cases the legal authorities are not bound under Polish law to allow a third party to see an accused person until the case for the prosecution is completed, even though the accused be a foreign national and the third party a diplomatic or consular representative. His Majesty's Ambassador at Warsaw has protested against this violation of international usage, and has since renewed his representations.

Mr. Mott-Radclyffe

Can the hon. Gentleman assure the House that His Majesty's Government will not take lightly the refusal of a foreign Government to allow a British Consul to visit a British subject under arrest in a foreign country?

Mr. Mayhew

Certainly; we take it very seriously.

Earl Winterton

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the country is very disturbed at the number of these cases—quite unprecedented in our history—which are going on all over the place behind the Iron Curtain? Will he consider the action of a certain South American Government who have retaliated against a foreign country, with a view to taking similar action?

Mr. Mayhew

We appreciate that these incidents are occurring with deplorable frequency, and we are not content to let things remain where they are now.