§ 21. Mr. Woodhouseasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to seek to make an official visit to Greece.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI have no plans to do so for the present.
§ Mr. WoodhouseIf my right hon. Friend receives an invitation, will he seek to assure himself before accepting that such a visit would conduce to the restoration of parliamentary democracy in Greece rather than the continuation of the military dictatorship?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeWe should like to see the restoration of democracy in Greece but I am not planning a visit.
§ Mr. MaclennanHave there been discussions within N.A.T.O. about the expressed desire of the United States to find home ports in Greece for the Sixth Fleet? Have Her Majesty's Government expressed any view about this?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI understand that the reason for asking for facilities from Greece is for American families to be near their serving sailors. I do not think that it is a matter in which we could intervene.
§ Mr. EmeryIn any conversations with Greece will my right hon. Friend bear in mind the very major rôle which it plays in N.A.T.O. and the need to ensure that that flank with Turkey is properly defended?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeYes, Sir. This is particularly important in view of the change in the balance of power in the Eastern Mediterranean in recent years.