HC Deb 13 March 1950 vol 472 cc24-5W
57. Mr. Maclean

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he is taking to ensure that a British diplomatic or consular representative is allowed access to Mrs. Firth, a British subject who has been detained by the Polish authorities since May, 1949.

59. Major Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date Mrs. Firth, a British subject, was arrested in Poland; what allegations have been made against her; where she has been imprisoned; on what dates she was visited by British officials; by whom she will be defended at her forthcoming trial; and if he is satisfied that Mrs. Firth is being given every facility for her defence.

62. Professor Savory

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the arrest of Mrs. Firth, a British subject, in Warsaw; what charges have been brought against her by the Polish Government; and whether the British consul has been allowed to communicate with her.

Mr. Younger

Mrs. Firth became a British subject by marriage in 1928. She had been employed from 12th April, 1949, as a translator in His Majesty's Embassy in Warsaw. On 13th May, 1949, she was arrested by the Polish Security authorities on charges of harbouring in her flat two Germans, and a Pole who was accused of economic offences; she was also accused of procuring false documents for these three persons. She was imprisoned in Warsaw.

His Majesty's Embassy first applied for Mrs. Firth's release on the grounds of diplomatic immunity; this application was refused because her employment at the Embassy had not been formally notified to the Ministry before her arrest. On 11th June, 1949, the Embassy applied for permission for His Majesty's consul to visit Mrs. Firth in prison; this request, which was repeated on numerous occasions, was not granted until 4th March, 1950, that is five days before the date set for Mrs. Firth's trial.

On that date His Majesty's consul was at last allowed to visit Mrs. Firth in prison in the presence of the Counsel for the prosecution, to discuss only her personal needs and the appointment of counsel for the defence. Mrs. Firth was defended by a Polish lawyer retained on her behalf by the Embassy. As the House will be aware, Mrs. Firth was found guilty on 9th March and sentenced to three years' imprisonment as from 19th December last.