Details

Subject(s)

• Politics and government [Browse]
• Foreign relations [Browse]
• Diplomatic and consular service [Browse]
• Great Britain—Foreign relations—1906-1966—Sources [Browse]
• Soviet Union [Browse]

Related name

• Great Britain. Foreign Office [Browse]
• Coherent Digital (Firm) [Browse]

Series

• General Correspondence from 1906-1966 (Great Britain. Foreign Office. Political Departments) ; FO371-116768. [More in this series]
• Cold War Eastern Europe. [More in this series]
• FO371: Foreign Office: Political Departments: General Correspondence from 1906-1966 ; FO371-116768

Data source

• Cold War Eastern Europe, 1947-1982
• Cold War Eastern Europe, 1953-1960: Module 1
• History Commons

Summary note

A file containing an analysis of a press article relating to prisoner releases from Soviet forced labour camps. The Observer article quotes from a speech by a German former communist who had been imprisoned, and had interviewed other released prisoners to write a book. The article notes a change in emphasis from forced labour to using prison labour more effectively, and better working and living conditions for prisoners. The article and analysis discuss the likely reasons for the change in approach to the prison system, noting the inefficiencies and wastage of the forced labour system and widespread prison strikes. Foreign Office commentary also notes that there was an uncomfortable contrast between Soviet attempts at presenting a softer front abroad, and continued harsh treatment of its domestic prison population.

Notes

• File date: 1955.
• Date document(s) were released to the public domain: 1985.

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