§ 16. Mr. Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Yalta formula, providing for the formation in all liberated countries of provisional representative governments based on all democratic elements, is to be applied to Greece.
§ Mr. BevinI would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made on 20th August. The recent conversations between the Regent and political leaders in Greece have shown that no basis exists for the formation of an all-party Government since the principal Greek political parties will not co-operate with one another. Moreover, any change of Government at this stage would have serious consequences, since the preparation for the elections and plebiscite would inevitably be delayed. A change of government would also interrupt the economic and financial measures undertaken by the present Government on which the future stability and prosperity of Greece depends.
§ Mr. CocksIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the late Foreign Secretary of Greece stated that only a representative Government formed on the principles of Yalta could arrange free elections, and that the present Prime Minister of Greece announced that he was a Fascist? Are the Labour Government prepared to support a man of that character?
§ Mr. BevinI should like evidence that the Prime Minister said that he was a Fascist. If my hon. Friend will send it to me I will look into it. I have read almost everything that has come from Greece, and I cannot reconcile anything in it with his statement.