§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether it would be possible for him to make any further statement about the very difficult situation in Cuba?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, we have very little information about the situation in Cuba beyond what has appeared in the Press, because there has really been a black-out on information. The situation, as the noble Viscount knows, is under discussion now in the Political Committee of the General Assembly, and a number of resolutions are being considered there. But Her Majesty's Ambassador in Havana has been able to report by telephone—I am sorry I could not tell the noble Viscount, since I got this information only as I walked into the House—that there have been very many arrests in Cuba and these seem to include four British subjects. Apart from these, so far as the Ambassador was aware, no harm has come to other British subjects in the island.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I suppose there is no information yet as to whether the four British subjects were actually members in some way of the rebel military forces.
THE EARL OF HOMENo information at all, my Lords. The Ambassador had been able to see one of the prisoners, but has not told me what the charge was or anything of that sort. Now I do not know whether he can get through, if there are any communications open. Of course, it is the Ambassador's duty to ensure that proper treatment is given to any prisoners—if they are charged to arrange the proper legal defence, and if they are not charged to take such 604 steps as are necessary to secure their release.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I take it that, in view of the great importance of developments out of this situation, we are keeping in touch with all the N.A.T.O. countries concerned and particularly, I expect, with the United States. I hope that the Foreign Secretary may be able to report to the House as often as possible on what is advisable while this matter is going on.