HC Deb 04 November 1954 vol 532 cc67-8W
56. Mr. S. Silverman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what authority police officers under his control questioned British citizens concerning the proposed prosecution in the United States of America of Mr. Lattimore, a United States citizen; why they were accompanied by officials of the United States Embassy; whether he will take steps to ensure that the British police force is not again used in this way; and whether he will make it clear that British citizens are under no obligation to furnish information in circumstances of this kind.

64 and 65. Mr. Foot

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) why his Department gave instructions to the police to assist the United States Embassy in gaining information about the affairs of Mr. Owen Lattimore from British publishing firms;

(2) what test is applied by his Department to requests made for assistance from the British police by foreign embassies in order to ensure that no aid is given to any form of political persecution.

Major Lloyd George

I would refer the hon. Members to the answer which I gave to a series of Questions on the subject on 28th October. I would only add, as regards the last part of the Ques- tion by the hon. Member for Nelson and Colne (Mr. S. Silverman), that what happened in this case showed that the two persons approached by the police were well aware that they were not obliged to furnish information.

69. Mr. Ede

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the rank of the Metropolitan Police officer who inquired of the publishers about the writings of Professor Owen Lattimore; the rank of the highest officer in the Metropolitan Police who dealt in any way with the subject; and the rank of the officer in the United States of America who asked that the Metropolitan Police should make inquiries.

Major Lloyd George

The answers to the first two parts of the Question are superintendent and commander respectively. As regards the third part of the Question, I do not know the rank of the United States police officer who originated the request, and I do not think that it would be appropriate for me to make inquiry of the United States Government.