HL Deb 01 June 1954 vol 187 cc1027-8

2.36 p.m.

THE LORD BISHOP OF CHICHESTER

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have made or are proposing to make any representations to the U.S.S.R. Government, in conjunction with the United States Government, or otherwise, or have taken or are proposing to take any other steps by way of declaring their attitude, in response to the appeal made by M. Nikolai Khokhlov (formerly a member of the Soviet secret police) on behalf of his wife Janina Khokhlov, after he had sought asylum from the United States authorities in Frankfurt.]

THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)

My Lords, there are no legal grounds on which Her Majesty's Government could make official representations in a case of this nature to the Soviet Government about a Soviet citizen. I should, however, like to make it clear that they hope most sincerely that the Soviet authorities will permit Madame Khokhlov and her young child to join her husband.

THE LORD BISHOP OF CHICHESTER

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Marquess for the latter part of that reply. The moral grounds are very strong indeed, and I hope that Her Majesty's Government will make all representations, directly or indirectly, that may be possible.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

I am quite certain that in this case there is no difference of opinion between the right reverend Prelate and Her Majesty's Government. The only question is, what is going to do the most good for Madame Khokhlov. There is a danger that official representations would only crystallise the Soviet Government in their present attitude.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

Would Her Majesty's Government consider in due course making a statement about this growing tension over spies and counterspies, cases of which appear every day in the newspapers—and there is the N.T.S. case? Could the Government consider whether some considered statement could be made to throw light on this and other similar matters?

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

I am sure that the noble Viscount, Lord Stansgate, will not expect an answer today, but I will certainly transmit his remarks to my right honourable friend.