§ 16. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can make any statement on the progress of events in Greece; and if he has now received a reliable report on the trial of persons accused of bearing arms against the State and the application to such persons of the promised amnesty.
§ Mr. LawAs the hon. Member will be aware, an agreement was signed between the Greek Government and E.L.A.S. on 12th February, and I am sure that the House will welcome this most satisfactory outcome to the recent negotiations. The agreement marks a notable advance towards a final and just solution of the differences with which Greece has been divided and tormented. The agreement reaffirms the pledges already given by the Greek Government that there will be an amnesty for all political crimes committed since the disturbances began on 3rd December. The amnesty law provides that the trials of those not covered by the amnesty will be by civil courts and that cases already tried by military courts will be retried by civil courts. No one will be prosecuted for bearing arms against the State.
§ Mr. DribergWould it be possible to convey congratulations to the Minister Resident in the Mediterranean for the very statesmanlike way in which he has contributed to reconciliation in Greece by adopting most of the proposals put forward by the Labour Party Conference and the Government's critics in this House and in the Press?
§ Sir A. SouthbyMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether he will at the same time convey to General Scobie and the British Army our appreciation of the fact that they made it possible for this happy solution to be reached?
§ Mr. GallacherMay I ask the Minister whether we can take it that the statements made against E.A.M. will now be withdrawn, as they have no application, in view of the agreement accomplished by E.A.M. representatives at the Conference?