HC Deb 24 March 1949 vol 463 cc562-5
Mr. Fitzroy Maclean

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make regarding the arrest by the Czech authorities and subsequent expulsion from Czechoslovakia of Captain Wildash, a British official of consular rank.

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Mayhew)

On 22nd March, Captain Wildash, the British officer in Prague responsible for granting military permits for Germany was taken from his flat and questioned by the Czech police. He was accused of having acted in a manner hostile to the Czechoslovak State and of having received information contrary to Czechoslovak law. During the interrogation, Captain Wildash was confronted with a Czech acquaintance who had in fact on three occasions visited his office and volunteered some information of negligible interest about the abortive officers' plot of last Christmas. No formal charge was made and Captain Wildash was released the same afternoon.

His Majesty's Embassy were informed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the time of Captain Wildash's arrest, and on the afternoon of 22nd March they received an oral communication that Captain Wildash had plotted against the State and had been in touch with other plotters and had therefore seriously contravened the law for the protection of the Republic. The advice of the Minister of Foreign Affairs was that Captain Wild-ash should leave the country within 24 hours. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs refused, however, to furnish proofs or particulars substantiating these charges.

In the short time available His Majesty's Ambassador has made inquiries, and as far as can be ascertained there is no truth in the assertion that Captain Wildash has plotted against the Czechoslovak Republic or infringed its laws in any way. Nevertheless, His Majesty's Ambassador felt obliged to advise Captain Wildash in his own interest to leave Czechoslovakia at once. I do not wish to say more at present, and it would be premature to say what action we shall now take. For the moment, the Military Permit Office in Prague has had to be closed.

Mr. Maclean

Have the Government made no protest against this outrageous treatment of one of His Majesty's consular officers, and will the hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of taking retaliatory action against corresponding Czech officials in this country?

Mr. Mayhew

This incident took place only a day or two ago, and, as I have said, we are considering what action would be appropriate. I can, however, say that we shall not be content to leave matters where they are now.

Mr. Harold Macmillan

Can the Under-Secretary tell us when he expects to be able to make a further statement?

Mr. Mayhew

I should be ready to make a further statement in due course when we have considered what action is appropriate.

Mr. Macmillan

Are we to understand that the Minister and the Government have accepted without protest that this official is to be sent out of the country?

Mr. Mayhew

Certainly not, we have not acepted it. The fact that, in his own interests, we advised Captain Wildash to leave in no sense suggests that we accept the charges.

Mr. Macmillan

I do not understand what the Minister means by "in his own interests." Surely this officer had diplomatic status and immunity?

Hon. Members

Answer.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

When the Minister says "in his own interests," does he mean that proper protection could not be extended to this officer by his own Ambassador? The phrase "in his own interests" has a very sinister sound.

Mr. Mayhew

This is a matter which it was wise to leave to the judgment of the Ambassador on the spot, and, in view of all the circumstances, he felt that it would be wise and in his own interests for Captain Wildash to leave.

Mr. Macmillan

Surely, the normal course is that, if a country wishes that a certain diplomatic or consular representative should be withdrawn, they should give notice that he is now persona non grata and should be replaced? Surely the Minister and the Government cannot accept that an officer should be withdrawn practically under threats without following the diplomatic procedure which is necessary in these cases?

Mr. Mayhew

The Czechoslovak Government did go through the normal diplomatic procedure in declaring that Captain Wildash was persona non grata. They had a right to do that, although we cannot regard it as a friendly act, particularly since Captain Wildash had consular status.

Wing-Commander Hulbert

Did this officer enjoy diplomatic immunity?

Mr. Scollan

Oh, he thoroughly enjoyed it.

Mr. Mayhew

He was recognised by the Czech Government as enjoying local rank of consul.

Mr. Nicholson

The Under-Secretary has used two phrases which seem to conflict with one another. He has said that the Czechoslovak Government declared to us that this officer was persona non grata, in which case it was entirely proper to ask that he should be withdrawn. Then the hon. Gentleman used the phrase "in his own interests," which sounds very much as if there was a threat, which can only be called highly improper, and we should hear more about it.

Mr. Macmillan

The reply of the Under-Secretary is a little confusing, because, surely, if this officer had diplomatic status, as we are now told, they had no right whatever to arrest him at his flat and take him away to be questioned and cross-questioned? If he had diplomatic status, they had a right to say that he was no longer a suitable person to represent His Majesty's Government in Czechoslovakia, and the proper course for the Minister of Foreign Affairs in that country to take was to inform our Ambassador in the appropriate way so that he could be withdrawn. This is a most monstrous action, against which protests ought to be made.

Sir Ronald Ross

May I ask the Under-Secretary if anyone has been detailed to carry on this officer's functions, or whether the office has been closed.

Mr. Mayhew

The office has been closed down.