§ 43. Mr. Hollisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, at the forthcoming Conference of Foreign Ministers, he will raise the question of the detention by the Soviet Government of the wives of British subjects and demand their release.
§ Mr. BevinI do not consider the forthcoming Conference of Foreign Ministers would be an appropriate place for raising the question of the Soviet wives.
§ Mr. HollisMay we take it from that that the right hon. Gentleman thinks that there is some other appropriate place where this matter can be raised?
§ Mr. BevinNo, Sir. I have indicated to the House that I have taken up this question so often and put such pressure on and done everything I can do, that I am not prepared to go on misleading these people that I hope to get a solution of the problem. I think I had better be frank about it. I see no hope for it.
§ Mr. HollisIs it not said that there is now a new situation and that if we talk with the Russians there is hope that all our just grievances will be met? If it is not worth while raising this grievance with them, is it not hypocrisy to talk about there being such a new situation?