New Speculation On Spy Exchange

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32017, 18 June 1969, Page 17

New Speculation On Spy Exchange

(N.Z. Press Association—<Copyright)

LONDON, June 17.

Speculation that Britain may agree to exchange Helen and Peter Kroger, the Russian spies, for Gerald Brooke, the London lecturer, increased last night when it was learnt that Mrs Kroger has been interviewed by British security officers in her prison cell, “The Times” reports.

She is thought to have been asked during the interview whether she was prepared to live in Russia. It is also understood that she will be allowed to meet her husband at Parkhurst Prison, Isle of Wight, at the week-end. Both the Krogers, who are serving 20-year prison sentences, are known to be in poor health. The couple, who have United States citizenship, were sent to prison in 1961 after the Portland spy ring was exposed. The key agent in this major post-war espionage case was Gordon Lonsdale, who was later exchanged for Greville Wynne, a British businessman, who was arrested and convicted by the Russians for spying.

agree to an exchange of prisoners on humanitarian grounds. Mrs Kroger, aged 55, is suffering from a back complaint and has for many months been in the maximum security wing at Holloway. She Is seen regularly by doctors and her husband is kept informed of her condition.

Kroger, who is nearing 60, is said by several sources to be deteriorating. He has become something of a father figure in the maximum security wing at Parkhurst, which houses some of Britain’s most dangerous men.

Brooke, still in bis thirties, is suffering, too, and has none of the democratic benefits available to the Krogers. It has been established through letters to his wife, Barbara, and infrequent visits from British Embassy officials, that he has a serious stomach ailment which requires a special diet. A former lecturer in Russian in constant contact with students in London, he spends his time carving pieces for chess sets and doing other manual tasks.

Brooke, who was sent to prison for five years in July, 1965, for distributing antiSoviet literature, is also known to be in poor health. Reports and rumours from Russia, believed to have been deliberately started, have intimated that he may face further spying charges, carrying severe penalties. Both Governments may