§ 27. Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Czechoslovakia about their refusal to allow Mrs. Hathaway to visit her husband, the Rev. David Hathaway, a British Pentecostal minister imprisoned in Czechoslovakia for bringing a consignment of Bibles into that country.
§ 19. Mr. William Priceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many letters he has received asking him to make representations about the imprisonment by the Czech authorities of the Rev. David Hathaway.
§ Mr. KershawI have received 61 letters about Mr. Hathaway. Mrs. Hathaway visited her husband in October at the time of his trial and I understand will visit him later. Mr. Hathaway was sentenced for importing pamphlets, not Bibles.
§ Rev. Ian PaisleyIs the Minister aware that at the beginning of this month Mrs. Hathaway applied to the Czechoslovakian Government for a visa to visit her husband, that the visa was refused and that she has not been able to see her husband since the hearing of his appeal and his sentence to two years' imprisonment? Will the hon. Gentleman confirm that the pamphlet was contained in a consignment of scriptures and was simply a pamphlet stating that these were copies of the word of God? Is it not a fact that Mr. Hathaway is unable to see his wife and that the only crime which he committed was to be in possession of these scriptures and pamphlets which were to be distributed, not in Czechoslovakia but elsewhere on the Continent of Europe? What representations will the Minister make to the Czechoslovakian authorities to ensure that Mr. Hathaway's wife has the opportunity of visiting him?
§ Mr. KershawI have no information to the effect that a visa has been refused, but if my hon. Friend will let me know about the matter I will look into it. I 939 understand that Mr. Hathaway is applying for one now. As to the pamphlets, I think that the best thing I can do is to put a copy of them, in the Czech original and in the translation, in the Library of the House so that hon. Members can judge for themselves whether the pamphlet has, for Czechoslovaks living in Czechoslovakia today, political overtones. I think that hon. Members may conclude that it has. The crime was a matter for the Czechoslovakian courts. It would not be a crime in our courts, and I can understand my hon. Friend's distaste for the matter.
§ Mr. CallaghanWhile we must wait to see whether a visa has been refused or whether an application is now being made, will the Minister note that I believe that, whatever may be the political content of the tracts, there is a strong desire on both sides of the House that, if Mrs. Hathaway abstains from political controversy, she should be allowed to visit her husband in goal?
§ Mr. KershawI have no doubt that that is the sentiment of the House, but I have no reason to suppose that a visa will be refused. Hon. Members should know that a petition for Mr. Hathaway's expulsion from Czechoslovakia was presented by his lawyer on 17th January and we must hope that it gets a favourable response.
§ Mr. WaddingtonIs it not a fact that this man was convicted of an offence unknown to English law? Will my hon. Friend recognise that many of us in the House are gravely concerned that a man should be convicted, not only of an offence unknown to English law but of conduct which no civilised country would consider to be against the law or antisocial? Will my hon. Friend think about this matter again and consider making the strongest representations to the Czechoslovakian Government?
§ Mr. KershawI do not think my hon. and learned Friend is correct in saying that the offence is unknown to English law. He was convicted of sedition. The evidence which was brought certainly would not have given rise to a conviction in this country, but the crime is not unknown. The maximum penalty for it is five years. He was given two years and no sentence was passed about the Bibles.