§ 64. Professor Savoryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the frequent kidnapping of Austrian citizens in the International Zone of Vienna by, or on behalf of, the Soviet authorities; and whether he will see that a protest is made through the Control Commission to the Soviet representative.
§ Mr. YoungerIt is reported that five recent cases of arbitrary arrest are at present under investigation by the Austrian authorities, that one of the arrests occurred in the International Sector and that the Austrian Government intends to protest to the Allied Council. When this protest has been considered by the Allied Council, it will be for the Western elements of the Council to decide, in the light of the facts that emerge, whether a protest should be made to the Soviet representative.
§ Professor SavoryHas the attention of the hon. Gentleman been called to the statement of an Austrian Minister that these kidnappings take place daily? As I have frequently called the attention of the Government to them, cannot some drastic measures at last be taken?
§ Mr. YoungerIt is easier to say that drastic measures should be taken than it is to say what they should be for this purpose. I entirely agree that there have been a number of these cases, and we are most perturbed about them. In many cases, protests have been lodged.