§ 17. Mr. G. Straussasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is now the intention of His Majesty's Government to use British troops and supplies against E.L.A.S. forces outside Attica.
§ Mr. EdenAs my hon. Friend will be aware, a truce has now been signed between General Scobie and E.L.A.S. which will, I trust put an end to fighting between British troops and E.L.A.S. forces.
§ Mr. StraussWhile we all hope that that truce will put an end to all fighting, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the threats of General Plastiras to purge all Greece of E.L.A.S. elements, we can have an undertaking now, that neither British men nor British arms will be employed in such a way?
§ Mr. EdenAs I said a short while ago, there are wider issues and I must ask the House to await to-morrow's statement.
§ Mr. ShinwellWill the right hon. Gentleman make it unmistakably clear to General Plastiras that, if it is his intention, as has been stated, to clear the E.L.A.S. forces out of Greece and to destroy the E.L.A.S. forces, he will have to do it without any reliance upon British troops or British arms? Will he make that perfectly clear?
§ Mr. EdenI will repeat what I said just now, that my right hon. Friend will make a statement on this whole situation to-morrow, and I think it is not unreasonable to ask the House to await it.
§ Mr. ShinwellWill the right hon. Gentleman understand that unless some such declaration is made, he will meet, and his Government will meet, with the full hostility of Members on this side of the House?
§ Mr. EdenOur position has been made absolutely clear in this matter and our position has not varied, is not varied and will not be varied—
§ Mr. ShinwellIt is not clear—
§ Mr. Shinwellrose—
§ Mr. SpeakerI am calling the next Question.
§ 50. Mr. Lipsonasked the Prime Minister, if, in view of the cessation of fighting in Athens, British Forces are now to be withdrawn from Greece and sent to other battle fronts.
§ The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has no statement to make about the movements of British Forces.
§ Mr. LipsonCan my right hon. Friend say that the state of the war against Germany and the state of our man-power are such that we can afford at this juncture to tie up substantial forces in Greece?
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsIs it not a fact that there are substantial German Forces still on Greek territory?