§ 42. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent permission has been granted to foreign representatives to question Dr. Fuchs; and whether he will make a statement.
§ 69. Mr. Donnellyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his regulations governing the questioning of prisoners in British jails by police of other countries; and to what countries are these facilities granted.
§ 72. Mr. Wyattasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conditions will govern the interrogation of Dr. Klaus Fuchs, at present in one of His Majesty's jails, by officers of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation; and what precedents there are for interrogation of His Majesty's prisoners in England by officials of a foreign Power.
§ 74. Mr. Fernyhoughasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement to the House in connection with the permission which has been granted to officials of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation to question Dr. Klaus Fuchs, the atomic scientist at present serving a 14 years' sentence of imprisonment in His Majesty's prison.
§ Mr. EdeI would refer my hon. Friends to the reply given on 11th May to my hon. Friend the Member for North-field (Mr. Blackburn), to which I have nothing to add.
§ Mr. ThomasIs my right hon. Friend aware that this distasteful departure from normal procedure is watched with some anxiety by the public, and can he say whether the prisoner concerned will be legally represented when foreigners are questioning him in our prison?
§ Mr. EdeThis prisoner's activities were also exceedingly distasteful, and it is necessary that the State should take such steps as it can to protect itself against such activities. This man need not answer any questions unless he chooses to do so. He will not be interviewed unless he expresses a willingness to be interviewed.
§ Mr. FernyhoughDoes not my right hon. Friend think that this is rather a reflection upon our own M.I.5 and Scotland Yard, and would they not have been capable of interviewing this man and getting from him, if he is prepared to volunteer it, the information which the Americans are seeking?
§ Mr. EdeNo, Sir. There is no reflection on the police services of this country in this matter, but some of the offences which this man has committed were committed in the United States of America, and I think it is desirable, in the interests of both countries, that as far as possible his activities should be investigated.
§ Mr. DonnellyWhat are the normal regulations governing cases of this kind? Could my right hon. Friend also say to what countries these facilities are normally extended?
§ Mr. EdeThis is the first time that such facilities have been granted because this is the first time that such an offence has been committed.
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanCan my right hon. Friend say why it was not thought sufficient for the information which the United States police want to get from this man to be put to him by our own police forces? Can he also say whether any arrangements have been made to provide himself with a copy of any statement which may now be made?
§ Mr. EdeA British officer will be present if this interview takes place, and it will be conducted according to British practice. It is important—I should have thought that my hon. Friend the Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. S. Silverman) would have recognised it—that some questions should be followed up by supplementary questions and it is, therefore, desirable that a person who can supply the information for an appropriate supplementary question should be there to put the question.
§ Mr. Hector HughesWill my right hon. Friend take care that at any such interrogation there will be present responsible British scientists, so that full advantage may be taken of any further information elicited?
§ Mr. EdeNo, Sir, I do not think that that would be desirable. I think that if 1385 an officer representing the British police or the British security service is present that will be enough.