HL Deb 04 March 1952 vol 175 cc419-20

2.38 p.m.

LORD VANSITTART

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask what further measures can be taken by Her Majesty's Government to secure the release of Mr. Sanders, who has now been held for two years incommunicado in Hungary.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF READING)

My Lords, as the noble Lord will know, His late Majesty's Government suspended negotiations for a trade and financial agreement with the Hungarian Government on December 19, 1949, because the Hungarian Government refused to allow a British consular officer to visit Mr. Sanders, who was at that time in gaol awaiting trial. These negotiations have never been resumed; and Hungarian imports into this country have subsequently been virtually excluded. I should like to make it plain that the case of Mr. Sanders continues to be the object of the most careful and anxious consideration by Her Majesty's Government, who will not fail to take any practical step open to them to persuade the Hungarian Government to release him.

LORD VANSITTART

My Lords, surely this is a case where some further form of pressure should be applied, if it can be devised. Would it be possible, for example, to close down a couple of the Hungarian Communist organisations in this country such as the British-Hungarian Friendship Society or the Hungarian Club in London at Pembridge Square? If that is not possible, can the Government think of some other measure? It is odious to think that this poor man should languish in gaol like this.

THE MARQUESS OF READING

My Lords, with the last sentence that the noble Lord pronounced, I entirely agree: it is an odious thought. But the London Hungarian Club and the Anglo-Hungarian Friendship Society are both British organisations, largely controlled by British subjects. So long as they do not infringe upon the law of the land, Her Majesty's Government have no power to interfere with their activities.

LORD VANSITTART

In that case, I can only beg Her Majesty's Government to think again to see whether their ingenuity is greater than mine.

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