Russia's Accusation

Northern Advocate, 13 June 1947, Page 7

Russia's Accusation

Giving an account of M. Molotov’s

reply to British representations about Hungary, the Secretary of State (Sir Hector McNeil) in the House of Commons today said: “The Foreign Secretary greatly regrets that our proper and measured inquiries should have been met with the accusation that they constituted o renewad attempt on our part to interfere in Hungarian internal affairs.” Britain sought information because

it was desired to avoid a possible misunderstanding, and to form a just view of the situation.

“We made no accusations against our Allies. “Because we are co-signatories of the armistice agreement and because also of our treaty friendship with the Soviet Government, we shall continue to

press both our Ally and the Hungarian Government for the full information on developments in Hungary to which we are entitled.” M. Molotov stated that he was not

prepared to admit the British conten-

tion that, as one of the powers represented on the Control Commission, Britain had a right to the information , for which she had asked, said Sir Hector.

M. Molotov refused to give any details and maintained that the Soviet’s policy was to refrain from interference in Hungarian internal affairs. “These misrepresentations and inaccuracies have already been rebutted in the Plouse of Lords.” said Sir Hector.

Replying to Mr Eden, he said the Hungarian agreement expressly provided that information should be available to the commission without the members having to request it. Answering another question, he refused to subscribe to the assertion that the newspapers had misrepresented the situation in Hungary. If the documents had been available there could not have been misreporting, he said. Sir Hector added that he believed it to be true that there were two political police forces operating in Hungary, neither of which he approved and neither of which was associated with the right.

Mr William Gallacher (Com.—West Fyfe) asked why the former Prime Minister (M- Nagy) did not return to Hungary and face his accusers. Sir Hector said he must point out that one of M. Nagy’s colleagues had ben in prison since February without a charge being preferred against him.