§ 10. Mr. Lipsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the forces of E.D.E.S. in Greece have surrendered their arms; and, if so, to whom.
§ Mr. EdenAs my hon. Friend will be aware, the date originally fixed for the demobilisation of the guerrillas, both E.L.A.S. and E.D.E.S., was 10th December. General Zervas expressed his complete willingness to abide by the Greek Government's orders for demobilisation. The demobilisation of the guerrillas must clearly await a settlement of the present disturbances.
§ Mr. LipsonCan my right hon. Friend make it clear whether E.D.E.S. have actually surrendered their arms? They have expressed their willingness to do so, but has it actually taken place?
§ Mr. EdenThe position is that both sides agreed to surrender their arms by a certain date. Unfortunately, as my hon. Friend knows, before that date was reached, the disturbances broke out which are now taking place, and, clearly, what we must secure is the disarmament of all, not of some.
§ Mr. LipsonDoes it mean that the fact that E.L.A.S. have not disarmed makes it not necessary for E.D.E.S. to obey the Government's orders now?
§ Mr. EdenMy hon. Friend can surely see the position. For several days, before 1753 the date agreed upon by all to surrender their arms, these disturbances broke out, and, unhappily, therefore, the agreement was broken. It will be necessary for us to make another agreement, but the object of His Majesty's Government is that all these irregular bands shall be disarmed altogether.
§ 47. Mr. Lipsonasked the Prime Minister if there is now complete co-operation and accord between His Majesty's Government and the Governments of the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R. with regard to the policy at present being pursued by His Majesty's Government in Greece.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Churchill)The burden of attending to the troubles in Greece has fallen upon Great Britain, and we have not so far been able to discharge this task without criticism even here at home, which has added to our difficulties. The three great Powers are in entire agreement upon the general aims which bind our alliance and we have every need to keep in the closest association in this dangerous and momentous phase of the war.
§ Mr. LipsonDoes not my right lion. Friend agree that there is a danger to the implementing of the proposals of the Dumbarton Oaks Conference, if certain Powers assign to themselves spheres of influence and other Powers are not brought into co-operation, even during the war, on these important matters?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is a topic with which, obviously, I should not attempt to deal now.
§ Mr. ShinwellAfter the answer which the right hon. Gentleman has given to the original Question, will he say whether there is, in fact, complete co-operation?
§ The Prime MinisterThere is complete co-operation, but whether there is complete agreement on every aspect of this matter is another question altogether. I have not the slightest doubt that effective co-operation will go on, in all aspects of the war. We had a certain task thrown upon us, and we are discharging it to the best of our ability.
§ Mr. LipsonAre His Majesty's Government taking steps to try to bring about greater co-operation?
§ The Prime MinisterI think it would certainly be a justifiable conclusion to form at this stage.
§ 48. Mr. Lipsonasked the Prime Minister what terms for an armistice have been offered to E.A.M.
§ The Prime MinisterThis Question was to have been answered by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, together with Question No. 9 in the name of the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley).
[To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to make any statement regarding the negotiations between the British authorities, the Greek Government and the representatives of the resistance organisations in Greece.]
§ Mr. LipsonOn a point of Order. When Question No. 9 was called, the hon. Member was not present.
§ The Prime MinisterIt was arranged that my right hon. Friend should answer the Question. I now gather that the hon. Gentleman who put it down was unfortunately not in his place, and I had not prepared myself to answer that Question.
§ Mr. BellengerLet the Foreign Secretary answer it.
§ The Prime MinisterI would like to see what I am reading out lest I should make a mistake.
§ Mr. BellengerOn a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. As it is customary, if a first Question is not called, for two Questions on the same subject to be answered on the subsequent Question, would it not be in Order for the Foreign Secretary now to answer Question No. 9?
§ Mr. SpeakerI am afraid that, as the first Question was not asked, it cannot, therefore, be answered.
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsSurely a Minister cannot evade answering a Question on the Paper because it is linked up with another Question which has not been asked?
§ Mr. MagnayIf hon. Members miss their turn, let them wait.
§ Mr. LipsonI was in my place when Question No. 9 was called.
§ The Prime MinisterOn a point of Order, Mr. Speaker, Would it be in Order for my right hon. Friend to answer in my place?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is really slightly out of Order, but I am prepared to agree.
§ Mr. SpeakerYes.
§ Mr. EdenFull accounts have appeared in the Press of negotiations between General Scobie and the E.A.M. leaders for an armistice. At a meeting between General Scobie and a representative of E.A.M. Committee on 12th December, General Scobie stipulated that the E.L.A.S. forces must carry out his orders as troops placed under his command by the Caserta Agreement, These orders were and remain to evacuate Attica. In addition, orders must be issued to all E.L.A.S. supporters in Athens and the Piraeus to cease resistance and hand in their arms. General Scobie made it clear that as soon as these requirements were fulfilled he would inform Field-Marshal Alexander, who would initiate the necessary steps to put an end to the present turmoil in Greece and to restore to all Greeks, whatever their opinions, peaceful enjoyment of their democratic principles. In their reply, which was received on 16th December, the E.A.M. Committee agreed to withdraw the E.L.A.S. forces from Attica, but did not refer to General Scobie's other condition that their followers in Athens and Piraeus should cease resistance and hand in their arms. General Scobie has informed them that this condition must be fulfilled before an armistice can be granted.
§ Mr. LipsonMay I ask my right hon. Friend if his answer means that, if E.A.M. accept the terms of an armistice, General Alexander will accept responsibility for seeing that order is restored in Greece?
§ Mr. EdenI think the position is quite clear that, if these terms are accepted, then we shall do our best to ensure for the Greek people a Government of their choice, and also a free election, and a decision in respect of their constitution.
§ Mr. RileyDo I understand that negotiations are still proceeding; and will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the great anxiety in this country to see an armistice arranged at the earliest possible moment?
§ Mr. EdenEverybody in this country, naturally, wants this situation brought to an end at the earliest possible moment. As regards the first part of the question, 1756 I do not know whether a further reply is forthcoming from E.A.M. I have only seen statements in the Press that that may be so.
§ Mr. ShinwellIf the Left Wing or so-called resistance movements do agree to the terms laid down by General Scobie, is there any assurance that they will be subsequently protected, in an unarmed condition, against Right Wing elements who may still be in possession of their arms? Is there any guarantee of that kind?
§ Mr. EdenI can assure the hon. Gentleman that we will take every precaution in that respect. It is not our desire that as a result of this business there should be victimisation, either of one side or the other. Our desire is, that as soon as this is over, there should be an amnesty and that the Greeks should have a chance to live their own life again, in peace and harmony.