HL Deb 07 April 1959 vol 215 c386

2.44 p.m.

LORD GLYN

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are yet in a position to make a statement about the appointment of a scientific attaché at the British Embassy, Moscow.]

THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)

My Lords, an appointment has now been made, and the scientist appointed is at present making a preliminary visit to Moscow.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, are we not going to be told who is the scientist?

VISCOUNT HAILSHAM

My Lords, yes, indeed, since the noble Viscount asks. There is a Press release of details of the scientist. His name is Mr. D. A. Senior, M.A., A.M.I.E.E., aged 35.

LORD MILNER OF LEEDS

My Lords, may I ask the noble Viscount whether I am correct in assuming that there are scientific attaches appointed to other Embassies, and that this is in no sense a special appointment?

VISCOUNT HAILSHAM

My Lords, yes; there are scientific attaches appointed to other Embassies. I think it would be wrong to say that they are not in a sense special appointments, because not all Embassies have them; and I think that this is the first time we have had one in Moscow.

VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGH

My Lords, I take it from what the noble Viscount, Lord Hailsham, has said that this attaché, who is appointed for scientific purposes, will have full diplomatic status and, therefore, will not be under any restrictions which are not applied to other United Kingdom representatives.

VISCOUNT HAILSHAM

My Lords, he is an attache at the Embassy, with all that that implies.