HC Deb 10 March 1947 vol 434 cc138-9W
97. Sir. W. Smithers

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement about the detention of Doctor Malcolm Sargent by Soviet soldiers in Austria; what protests have been made regarding this treatment of a British citizen; and with what results.

Mr. J. Hynd

I much regret the discomfort suffered by Dr. Malcolm Sargent. He first applied for, and was issued with, a permit to travel to Vienna by air. Later, when he decided to go by train, he was provided with the necessary visa to pass through Germany, but unfortunately not with the additional permit required to cross the Russian zone in Austria. He therefore set out without the complete papers necessary for his journey. In these circumstances a protest would seem inappropriate.