HC Deb 27 September 1949 vol 468 cc4-6
Mr. Blackburn

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what action he is taking to secure the immediate release by the Soviet authorities in Berlin of Private R. Tirell, of the Queen's Royal Regiment, who has been absent in Soviet hands since November, 1948, and what action he is taking in respect of Privates Sullivan, Taylor and Boniface, who were detained by the Soviet authorities for many months until their escape on 16th September.

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

Private R. Tirell's case was raised with the Soviet authorities in Germany on 29th July, 1949, shortly after we had indications that he was in Russian hands. On 30th August, his case was referred to in a letter to the Soviet Chief-of-Staff in Germany, which gave particulars of those soldiers believed to be in Russian hands and demanded facilities to interview them, in order that we might be satisfied that none was being held against his will. The Soviet Chief-of-Staff has replied that he has given orders for the necessary investigations to be made and that he will inform the British Chief-of-Staff of the results. Privates Sullivan, Taylor and Boniface, who, like Private Tire11, absented themselves without leave, escaped from prison after the letter to the Soviet Chief-of-Staff had been sent. The day after their escape a letter was sent protesting about the Soviet failure to give any satisfactory answer to our several previous letters about these men and inquiring about the ill-treatment to which they state they were subjected while in Russian hands.

Mr. Blackburn

While I entirely appreciate that these men are deserters, nevertheless, surely a deserter who is a British subject is still entitled to our protection. Therefore may I ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give instructions to insist on the right of our representative in Berlin to see Private Tirell at the earliest possible opportunity to discover if all is well with him?

Mr. Mayhew

I did not state that these men were deserters, which is a technical term, as my hon. Friend will realise. On the other subjects, we have pressed and are pressing the Soviet authorities to give us the right, to which we are entitled, to see whether these men entered the Soviet zone and remained there freely, and not against their will.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

Has my hon. Friend ascertained from the two men who have returned whether they were in the Soviet zone, how they got there, whether any charges were brought against them, whether they were tried, whether they were sentenced, and whether they have any complaint?

Mr. Mayhew

Most of those many questions have been asked and answered. I should like notice before answering them in detail. These men voluntarily entered the Soviet zone and stated on their return that they were illtreated while there.

Mr. Silverman

Were they tried while there, or charged?

Mr. Mayhew

No, they were not charged, or tried.

Mr. Blackburn

Do the Soviet authorities deny the right of our accredited representative in Berlin to see a British subject, and what steps is the Minister taking to see that a British subject is properly protected?

Mr. Mayhew

They do not specifically deny that right to see them, but we have met with obstruction and delay in exercising the right. On several previous occasions we made representations. We are not satisfied with the position and recently renewed our representations.