§ 70. Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reports he has recently received from the British Minister in Athens with regard to the situation in Greece under the dictatorship of General Metaxas and, in particular, the difficulty being experienced by British residents there to obtain foreign exchange in view of German penetration?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Viscount Cranborne)Reports which have recently been received from His Majesty's Minister at Athens indicate no abnormal developments in Greece. With regard to the second half of the question, it would not be possible within the limits of this answer to summarise the reports on the economic and financial situation in Greece which His Majesty's Government receive from His Majesty's Minister. As regards foreign exchange, the difficulties encountered generally by British interests in Greece resulting from the Greek transfer 1923 restrictions are under constant review, and particular cases are dealt with as they arise. Fresh legislation for the protection of Greek currency was enacted by the Greek Government in August, 1936. His Majesty's Minister reported that in his view such legislation was necessary and did not involve any threat to British interests apart from certain special cases which have since been satisfactorily dealt with.
§ Mr. ManderWill the Noble Lord make clear to the Greek Government that a continuance of the dictatorship there is likely to alienate British sympathy?