§ 3. Mr. Hoggasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information about Mr. Samuel Vernon Whalley alleged by the Yugoslav authorities to be detained in their custody; whether he has taken any steps to ascertain the truth of this report; whether Mr. Whalley has been given access to any British representative; where his present position is thought to be; and whether it is proposed to make any representations to the Yugoslav authorities.
§ Mr. MayhewOn 20th September last a motor car carrying Mr. Whalley and Signor Metalo, an Italian resident of Trieste, arrived on the border between the British-United States and the Yugoslav zones of the Free Territory. Mr. Whalley held no permit to enter the Yugoslav zone. As the two men had no customs clearance and the car's documents were not in order the car and the currency carried by Mr. Whalley were retained by the Venezia Giulia police. Mr. Whalley and his friend then proceeded on foot towards the Yugoslav frontier post. Since then neither has been seen, but a peasant returning to the British-United States zone later said that two men answering to their description were detained at the Yugoslav post. On receipt of these reports, my right hon. Friend instructed His Majesty's Ambassador at Belgrade to make inquiries. The Ambassador was informed on 30th October by the Yugoslav authorities that Mr. Whalley had entered Yugoslav territory without permission but that he would be released as soon as possible. I am awaiting confirmation of his release.