§ 20. Mr. J. Hyndasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement concerning the arrest by the Soviet authorities in Vienna of Dr. Sokolovski, a Vienna municipal councillor, who has been recognised by the Soviet authorities during the past 10 years as senior Russian interpreter for the city council, in the course of his duties in that capacity.
§ Mr. TurtonDr. Alfred Sokolovski, a senior municipal official and chief interpreter of the Vienna Town Council, was detained on 15th January this year during a routine visit to the Soviet Headquarters in Vienna. On 20th January, the Federal Chancellor formally protested to the Soviet High Commissioner about the fact and the manner of the detention. This protest was rejected on the grounds 1542 that Dr. Sokolovski was a Soviet citizen and a deserter from the Red Army.
§ Mr. HyndDoes this not raise an entirely new situation, in which an emissary of one governmental authority, who has been recognised by another governmental authority for 10 years, has been arrested by the second authority when on an official mission to it? Are the Government considering the implications of this action on the future possibilities of maintaining official contacts in this territory?
§ Mr. TurtonIt is quite clear that this detention is a very unpleasant reminder of the continuing Russian occupation of Austrian territory, but, unless the matter is brought to the notice of the Allied Council by the Austrian Government, Her Majesty's Government do not propose to take any action.