HC Deb 20 March 1963 vol 674 c55W
14. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the circumstances which led to the return of a British Embassy official, Mr. Rowsell, from Moscow to this country.

Mr. Heath

Mr. Ivor Rowsell, a junior official aged 47 who joined the Foreign Service in 1960, was posted to Her Majesty's Embassy at Moscow as Transport Officer in May last year. On 23rd February, he was approached by two Russians who said they were conducting a security investigation. At two meetings, on this and the following day, they interrogated him about his political associations, his official and personal contacts with Russians, and his service under the Foreign Office. The Soviet authorities then pressed him to co-operate and a further meeting was fixed for 3rd March.

On 1st March, Mr. Rowsell told his story to his superiors and the Ambassador decided that Mr. and Mrs. Rowsell should fly home the same evening. The Embassy made an oral protest to the Soviet Foreign Ministry on 1st March and this was followed by a formal Note on 5th March.