§ 2.38 p.m.
§ LORD VANSITTARTMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government what action they have taken in view of the attempt made by the Hungarian Government to terrorise a member of the British Legation in Budapest into giving them information.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD HENDERSON)My Lords, as a reprisal for this action, the Hungarian Government were requested to recall a member of the Hungarian Legation in London. I might add that the Hungarian official in question, when faced with the prospect of returning to Hungary, at once asked for political asylum in this country.
§ LORD VANSITTARTWhile thanking the noble Lord for his reply, may I ask whether the present situation is not a little unsatisfactory? A couple of our people have been expelled, another has been "third-degreed," native-born employees have been badly tortured, and then, when we expel someone, he whips round and asks for asylum—which perhaps might be a very suitable word. Without in any way prejudging this particular case, might it not be said that if that were carried further, we would be pocketing all insults and injuries and were getting in return a string of double agents?
§ LORD HENDERSONMy Lords, the desire for political asylum in this country indicates, perhaps, a recognition that 1095 in many countries service for the State is dangerously akin to liquidation by the State.
§ LORD VANSITTARTI would ask the noble Lord whether, if these abuses and insults are prolonged or repeated, he will take into consideration a suggestion that on the next occasion we should be considerably more drastic and get rid of the lot.
§ LORD HENDERSONMy Lords, in the event of anything of this nature recurring, obviously the position would have to be considered afresh and the suggestion made by the noble Lord would be borne in mind.