HC Deb 18 May 1949 vol 465 cc422-3
42. Colonel J. R. H. Hutchison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now say what steps he has taken to submit the case of Cardinal Mindszenty and the Bulgarian pastors to the United Nations as being a breach of the human rights clauses of the treaties with the respective countries.

Mr. Bevin

Both cases were recently raised in the General Assembly of the United Nations, when the representative of the United Kingdom supported a resolution drawing the attention of the Bulgarian and Hungarian Governments to their obligations under the Peace Treaties and providing that the question should be retained on the agenda of the fourth session of the Assembly.

Colonel Hutchison

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake not to lose sight of the question but to continue to have it brought forward?

Mr. Gallacher

May I ask the Foreign Secretary if in view of the shocking treatment of a political refugee at Southampton, it is in the interests—

Mr. Speaker

The Foreign Secretary cannot take responsibility for that matter.

Mr. Gallacher

Then I will ask a question about Cardinal Mindszenty. Is not the interest which is being taken in Cardinal Mindszenty and the pastors in Bulgaria a case of very cynical and blatant hypocrisy?

Colonel Hutchison

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Is it in Order to use such a phrase as "blatant hypocrisy" with regard to my Question?

Mr. Teeling

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the fact that this matter has come before the United Nations does not mean that our Embassy in Hungary is not looking into the matter and keeping an eye on what is happening?

Mr. Bevin

No, Sir. We are members of the United Nations, and it is not an isolated responsibility once the United Nations take up such a matter.

Mr. Logan

In view of the great anxiety in this country about the imprisonment of Cardinal Mindszenty, will my right hon. Friend let the House have the news as soon as he is, able to get particulars?

Mr. Bevin

I do not quite know what news to let hon. Gentlemen have.

Mr. Logan

Let us have particulars, then.

Mr. Bevin

We realise that there is anxiety about the matter. Any hon. Member can put down a Question about it.