§ 17. Mr. F. Macleanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what news he has of Mr. Vivian Holt, formerly His Majesty's Minister at Seoul, and of the Anglican Bishop of Korea; and what steps he is taking to secure their early repatriation.
§ Mr. YoungerNothing has been heard from Mr. Holt since I replied to Questions by the hon. Members for Hemel Hempstead (Viscountess Davidson) and Hornsey (Mr. Gammans) and the hon. and gallant Member for Stockport, North (Wing Commander Hulbert) on 24th January, nor has any information been received regarding the Anglican Bishop of Korea.
However, as stated by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary on 12th February in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, East (Mr. E. Fletcher), the British Embassy in Moscow have been informed by the Soviet Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the authorities in North Korea are prepared to pass a letter to Mr. Holt from His Majesty's Government. A communication has accordingly been sent to the Embassy for transmission to Mr. Holt through the Soviet authorities in which, among other things, he is asked if he has information regarding other British nationals.
The question of securing Mr. Holt's repatriation is under urgent consideration. No positive steps to secure the repatriation of the Bishop of Korea are possible until information of his whereabouts is available.