§ 2.35 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 how many Czechoslovak officials will now be expelled from this country in retaliation for the summary expulsion of yet another British official from Czechoslovakia.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD HENDERSON)My Lords, His Majesty's Government strongly deprecate the practice in Communist-controlled countries of pillorying Western diplomats in political trials and then expelling them on trumped-up charges to which they are given no opportunity to reply. His Majesty's Government naturally reserve the right to take reprisals as and when they seem appropriate, but do not, feel committed to take immediate and indiscriminate action in every case.
§ LORD VANSITTARTMy Lords, I am hoping, in view of the Government's 246 successful handling of the Sheffield Conference, upon which I congratulate them, that they may possibly see their way to be somewhat sterner in future cases of this kind.