HC Deb 02 March 1949 vol 462 cc346-7
34. Mr. Teeling

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has concerning the appeal of Cardinal Mindszenty and the conditions under which he is existing; and what further steps he has taken to obtain satisfaction from the Hungarian Government for any breach in the treaty of peace due to the Cardinal's trial.

Mr. Bevin

The Budapest People's Court has allowed the Cardinal's appeal to go forward to the National Council of People's Courts which acts as a Court of Appeal. I have no information on the conditions under which the Cardinal is existing. As regards the last part of this Question, I have been hampered, in establishing the facts about the trial, by the exclusion from the court of a British Legation representative.

Mr. Teeling

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the time is fast approaching when, if we cannot enforce Clauses which we put in peace treaties, we should bring them to the United Nations and find out what possible solution can be made; and if, on the other hand, we can in any way enforce them, such as by not taking part in trade agreements or by having no trade with those countries, does he not think the time is about to arrive for His Majesty's Government to take this course?

Mr. Bevin

The whole matter is constantly under consideration. We have not come to any conclusions about what we can do more than we are doing at present.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

Does not the right hon. Gentleman fear that His Majesty's Government may be made to look ridiculous by a repeated series of fruitless and rejected protests?

Mr. Teeling

Does not the right hon. Gentleman further realise that this wretched Cardinal has now been for quite a long time in prison, and is this to go on indefinitely? The same position exists as regards the Archbishop in Yugoslavia. [An HON. MEMBER: "What does the hon. Member suggest?"] Is not this a reason why we should hasten conclusions?

Mr. Bevin

Does the hon. Member suggest we should declare war? I am not going to do that.

Dr. Segal

Could the right hon. Gentleman try to ascertain under what conditions the Cardinal is at present existing and make a statement to the House?

Mr. Bevin

I am trying to ascertain that information.