HC Deb 07 March 1917 vol 91 cc363-4
14. Mr. DILLON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether King Constantine's Government promised to grant a complete amnesty to the followers of M. Venizelos whom they had arrested; whether they have now officially announced that the scheme for releasing prisoners, by granting an amnesty to all except those convicted of the gravest offences, has been abandoned in favour of a reduction of penalties on a certain scale; and whether His Majesty's Government are content that a Royalist Government at Athens should modify their acceptance of the Allied Note as soon as the Allied Fleet has been induced to modify the pressure of the blockade?

Mr. BALFOUR

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the Greek Government have, as they pro- mised, released the partisans of Monsieur Venizelos whom they had arrested, and they have given an official assurance that all proceedings against them have been absolutely and finally abandoned. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.

Mr. DILLON

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that they have released all the Venizelists?

Mr. BALFOUR

I understand that is so.

Mr. LYNCH

Have they released those who were killed?