HC Deb 30 June 1949 vol 466 cc1502-3
31. Mr. Julius Silverman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are taken under the authority of his Department to screen displaced persons who are admitted into this country for the purpose of taking up academic appointments.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)

Displaced persons admitted to the United Kingdom to take academic appointments had been accepted for resettlement and maintenance by the International Refugee Organisation, who in each case had satisfied themselves that the person's record contained no authenticated charges of collaboration. In addition they were screened by the British Security Service in Germany. In these circumstances no steps were taken by the Home Office to exercise more than the usual check on entry.

Mr. Silverman

May I take it that none of the organisations carrying out screening operations is under the control of the Home Office?

Mr. Ede

The British Security Service is not under the control of the Home Office, but we work in the closest collaboration with it.

33. Mr. J. Silverman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what circumstances E. Zakevicius, recently at Birmingham University, was admitted into this country; and whether it was known at the time of his admission that he had in 1941 accepted office as mayor of Vilnius under the German Army authorities and collaborated with them in their repressive measures especially against the Jews and Poles in that city.

Mr. Ede

Professor Zymantis-Zakevicius was one of a small group of displaced persons with high academic qualifications selected by representatives of United Kingdom universities for suitable academic appointments in the United Kingdom, and he was admitted to this country in May, 1948. The allegations against him to which my hon. Friend refers were made in a Soviet-controlled Lithuanian newspaper in November, 1948, and by the Soviet-controlled Radio Vilna in December, 1948, but I am not aware of any foundation for them.

Mr. Silverman

Is it not a fact that this man was the mayor of Vilnius under the German occupying authority after they took control, because that has been admitted to me by the Foreign Office?

Mr. Ede

I think he did hold that appointment.

Mr. Silverman

Does not that amount to a prima facie case of collaboration which ought to be examined?

Mr. Ede

No, the case was investigated and I have every reason to believe that this man is thoroughly satisfactory.