HC Deb 11 June 1951 vol 488 cc1662-4
48. Mr. Hamilton Kerr

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the Human Rights clause in the Peace Treaty he will make representations to the Hungarian Government concerning the recent purges in that country.

The Minister of State (Mr. Younger)

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 6th June to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, East (Mr. E. Fletcher), to which I have nothing to add.

Mr. Kerr

Is the Minister aware that the British United Press, the "New York Herald Tribune" and the "Observer" have published full stories of atrocities in Hungary, and can he say how it is that his Department have no information on the subject?

Mr. Younger

I do not think that that was what I was asked. I was asked about making representations. This matter of the breaches of the clauses of the peace treaty in the satellite countries has been under discussion not only with this Government, but with other members of the United Nations for a long time. We have co-operated fully, and, as I said in my answer, we are still co-operating.

Mr. Peter Thorneycroft

Is not the Minister aware that what is going on, according to widespread Press reports, is the mass eviction of families from their homes in something of the manner used by the Germans against the Jews? We want a rather more forthright statement from the Government about their attitude and intention in this matter.

Mr. Younger

I was not asked on this occasion what was our knowledge about these purges. I gave an answer on that matter the other day, and at that time we did not know they were so widespread as the hon. Member's remarks suggest. Today, I was only asked about representations, and I think that that still remains true.

Mr. E. Fletcher

Are we to assume from what my right hon. Friend has now said that since then he has received further information confirming the fact that there have been widespread atrocities.

Mr. Younger

No, Sir, that must not be presumed. I was not asked that question again today, and, consequently, I have not checked that particular aspect since I gave that answer last week. The answer I gave last week was quite correct.

Mr. Kerr

Has the Government made representations at the United Nations?

Mr. Younger

That has been very fully under discussion, but I do not think that it was considered by any of the Governments that further representations would do any good.