§ 2. Mr. Keelingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now give further information about the death of a British officer with the E.D.E.S. guerillas in Greece; and whether he has any evidence that the E.L.A.S. knew of his presence with the E.D.E.S.
§ Mr. EdenYes, Sir. The British officer was with an Allied mission attached to an E.D.E.S. band. The E.D.E.S. guerillas left the village in which they were stationed at the approach of an E.L.A.S. force, but the Allied mission remained in their house and were still there when the E.L.A.S. force entered the village. Shortly afterwards, the British officer was shot by an E.L.A.S. guerilla just outside the house. These events took place last October, but it was only on 1st March that information was received that an inquiry into the matter had been conducted in Greece. The results of this inquiry only reached Cairo at the end of last month and are being urgently examined there. A copy of the report is being forwarded to London.
§ Mr. KeelingMay I ask whether, if the further examination shows that the charge of murder was based upon incorrect information, my right hon. Friend will make a further statement?
§ Mr. EdenYes, Sir. Obviously I must not prejudge the position, and I can say no more until I have got the document and the matter has been fully examined. Clearly, if there has been any misstatement, we should wish to put it right.