§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD VANSITTARThad given notice of his intention to ask His Majesty's Government the following Question:
[Whether the activities of the assistant Polish military attaché in the spy net covering this country have been considered in connection with the recent exposure in this House of the universal manner in which Communist diplomatic missions are occupied in espionage; and to enquire whether the organisation of these cover-organisations will in future be more closely investigated.]
LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, I rise on a point of order. I am sorry to stand between the noble Lord and the House, but I believe it is understood in our Parliamentary practice that sweeping assertions against diplomatic Missions accredited to His Majesty are discountenanced. I hope therefore that this Question will be ruled out of order.
§ LORD VANSITTARTMy Lords, despite the intervention of the noble Lord, I rise to ask the Question standing in my name.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT JOWITT)My Lords, the case in connection with which the name of the assistant Polish military attaché has been mentioned is still sub judice. I therefore regret that His Majesty's Government 980 have nothing to say about it at present. With regard to the second part of the noble Lord's Question, the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards Communist diplomatic Missions was made clear in the debate which took place in your Lordships' House on December 1, 1948, and I have nothing to add.
LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, may I ask my noble and learned friend whether he cannot add something about this general assertion against diplomatic Missions representing in this country Governments with whom His Majesty is in friendly relation.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, as the noble Lord knows, I am in no position of authority in this House; I am in merely the position of any other member. It would be for the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition to agree amongst themselves upon the principle involved.