§ 18. Mr. Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will instruct the British delegation at the United Nations to bring before the Assembly for discussion the report of Sir Leslie Munro concerning conditions in Hungary; and whether he will support a proposal that the mission entrusted to Sir Leslie Munro should be prolonged for a further period.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydSir Leslie Munro has not yet submitted his report, but I understand he will do so shortly. Until it is available to Her Majesty's Government no decision can be taken on the instructions to be given to the United Kingdom delegation I have, however, taken note of the hon. Member's suggestion.
As regards the second part of the Question, the period of Sir Leslie Munro's mission is not limited by the United Nations' resolution under which 1133 he was appointed. The question raised by the hon. Member does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. FletcherWill the Foreign Secretary bear in mind that there is still considerable disquiet in this country about conditions in Hungary? Would he agree that it is derogatory to the authority of the United Nations unless its appointed representative has full opportunities to carry out his mission, which is to investigate conditions in Hungary?
§ 38. Sir T. Mooreasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 30 identifiable young Hungarians, aged 18 years, have recently been shot in Hungary by order of the Hungarian Government, and that about 100 other youths are due to be shot when they reach the age of 18 years, because of the fact that they are alleged to have taken part in the Hungarian uprising in 1956, when they were 15 years of age or under; and if he will bring this matter to the notice of the United Nations Special Commissioner on Hungary without delay so that some action may be taken to prevent any further executions.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydThere have been numerous disturbing reports in recent months of executions in Hungary. I have no confirmation of the alleged executions to which my hon. Friend refers.
It is part of Sir Leslie Munro's mission to observe and report on developments in Hungary and I have no doubt that the reports in question will have come to his attention. I am, however, asking the Permanent United Kingdom Representative to the United Nations to make certain that this is so.
§ Sir T. MooreAs I can give my right hon. and learned Friend the names of these young Hungarians who were murdered, would he agree that it would be monstrous if this callous, inhuman, uncivilised conduct were allowed to continue without some widespread and international protest or effort being made to stop further butchery?
§ Mr. LloydI will certainly be glad to pass on any information that my hon. Friend gives me. A Question was asked earlier by an hon. Member opposite about the United Nations debating these matters. I shall have more information to give to the House on that matter shortly.
§ Mr. S. O. DaviesIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this charge has been bluntly and repeatedly repudiated by the Hungarian Government, and that the Hungarian Government have invited all those who make these silly charges to provide proof and to give chapter and verse for the alleged hanging of these young people?
§ Mr. LloydI think the answer to the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question would be for the Hungarian Government to co-operate with Sir Leslie Munro. That would be the best way to deal with these matters. Up to now the Hungarian Government have refused to do that.
§ Mr. S. O. DaviesThey have invited this Government to do it, and other Governments, too.
§ Mr. FletcherIf the Hungarian Government were to grant Sir Leslie Munro a visa to enter Hungary, will the Foreign Secretary do his best to ensure that his visit comes about?
§ Sir A. V. HarveyCan my right hon. and learned Friend say why some hon. Members protest about visits of leading statesmen of other countries to Spain, but when a human matter like this is raised they do not protest?