§ Mr. Molsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the instructions by the Russian occupying Forces in Hungary that there shall be only one electoral list at the forthcoming electrons, whether such elections will be regarded by the British Government as free elections for the purpose of choosing a Government.
§ Mr. Martinasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what stipulations were made by His Majesty's Government on re-organising the Hungarian Government as to the course of future Hungarian policy.
§ Mr. A. Nuttingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information concerning the latest position regarding elections in Hungary.
§ Mr. BevinIt had been the intention of the Hungarian Government to hold general elections on 4th November, and His Majesty's Government had been assured by the Hungarian Government that these elections would be free and untrammelled. On 7th October municipal elections were held in Budapest which gave a majority to the Smallholders Party. These elections were followed by threats of disturbances and strikes promoted by the unsuccessful Social Democrat and Communist Parties, which, if implemented, could only worsen the present economic crisis. In these circumstances I understand that on 16th October it was suggested to the leaders of the Hungarian political parties by Marshal Voroshilov, the principal Soviet representative in Hungary, that the forthcoming elections should be held on the basis of a common list of candidates for all parties. This suggestion is now being considered by the political parties concerned.
2152WHis Majesty's Government would not consider elections held on the basis suggested as being in accordance with democratic principles as understood in this country.