§ Sir H. BRITTAIN(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he is able to give the House any further information with regard to the recent tragedy in Athens; and what action His Majesty's Government proposes to take in the matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERHis Majesty's Government have no further information than that which has appeared in the Press. His Majesty's Minister has been instructed to withdraw from Athens.
Captain BENNHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the statement made by the convicted Cabinet Ministers before execution that they received encouragement, sometimes in writing, from the Foreign Secretary and other Ministers in this country, and, in these circumstances, will the Prime Minister lay on the Table of the House all correspondence which is relevant?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have heard of no such information as the hon. and gallant Gentleman gives. If particulars can be given, I will consider the matter.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODCan the right hon. Gentleman say why His Majesty's Minister has been recalled from Athens, seeing that the British Minister was not 706 recalled from Budapest under the White Terror, when hundreds of thousands of workmen were murdered?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not think that reference to what was done on a previous occasion has any bearing on what we are doing now, or whether it is right or wrong. I would like to add that it was with a view of preventing this tragedy that we did inform the Greek Government that, if it did take place, we would withdraw our representative.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWhy do we take this action when men of high standing are executed, and take no notice when massacres take place in other countries?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am sure that is not so.
Captain BENNHas the Prime Minister not seen the statement in the "Times" this morning that these Ministers on trial alleged that they had encouragement, and in one case a letter, from British Ministers and encouragement from the Foreign Secretary?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThere is another question on that point.
§ Mr. NOEL BUXTON(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the report that M. Gounaris, late Prime Minister of Greece, who has now been executed, proposed at a date subsequent to April, 1921, and before the defeat of the Greek Armies in Asia Minor to withdraw on their advanced position in order to avoid disaster, and that he was dissuaded from doing so by members of His Majesty's Government, he can make a statement which will clear His Majesty's late Government of this grave charge?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have no information as to any such report as is referred to in this question. As regards the statement in the "Times" referred to by the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain Benn), I must say I did not see it, but I presume it did not profess to give accurate particulars.
Captain BENNIs the Prime Minister aware that it is stated definitely, as a fact, that a document was referred to, and would the right hon. Gentleman publish all relevant documents?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI would need to know what the documents are.
§ Lord ROBERT CECILWould the right hon. Gentleman lay on the Table any precedents for the withdrawal of the Minister to Greece, and under such circumstances?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere is certainly, I think, such precedent— [An HON. MEMBER: Serbia!"]—and, I think, Serbia was one of them. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."]
§ Lord R. CECILWas not Serbia a case of murder, and not a case of execution after trial?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will consider whether there are precedents, but this was not the work of the Government, but the work, as I understand it, of a revolutionary committee. [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh!"]
§ Mr. RAMSAY MacDONALDWould the right hon. Gentleman say precisely why he did withdraw the Minister?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI gave the reason I think. [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"] I think so. The first step we took was to inform the Greek Government that if this action, which we feared might be taken, was actually taken, we should withdraw our Minister. We thought it a barbarous act. We took the step we did in order, if possible, to prevent it. Now that it has taken place, I shall be greatly surprised if the great body of public opinion, not only in this country— [Interruption]—but throughout the civilised world does not support us.
§ Major ATTLEEIn view of the statement of the right hon. Gentleman that a revolutionary committee has executed these Ministers, is not the present Government of Italy on the same footing?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThere is a difference which does not appear to be noticed. There was a nominal Government in Greece, but it was not, I think, that Government which carried out these executions.
§ Mr. HARRISWould it not be more in accordance with the functions of the League of Nations to refer a matter of this kind to the League rather than to take isolated action?