§ 24. Mr. Hydeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information he has about the expulsion by the Czechoslovak authorities of the Second Secretary at Her Majesty's Embassy in Prague; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydOn 3rd April, Mr. Bedford attempted to smuggle a Czechoslovak national, Mr. Machacek, out of Czechoslovakia. The Czechoslovak authorities declared Mr. Bedford persona non grata on 4th April. The circumstances surrounding the discovery of Mr. Machacek in the boot of Mr. Bedford's car at the Czechoslovak frontier make it clear that the whole 1316 affair was a prepared trap. The subsequent charges of espionage only recently made against Mr. Bedford are unfounded.
§ Mr. HydeIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that his Answer will give great satisfaction in this country to those who are interested in British-Czechoslovak relations? Will he give the strongest repudiation to the suggestions that Mr. Bedford received money for his attempted smuggling feat and that he was engaged in espionage activities?
§ Mr. LloydI think I have already covered the point about espionage. We have no evidence at all that Mr. Bedford received money.
§ Mr. BevanIf any effort is to be made on behalf of people wishing to escape in the boots of cars, might they not consult M. Soustelle?