§ 5. Mr. Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the conditions which must be fulfilled before the British troops are withdrawn from Greece.
§ 9. Fliģht-Lieutenant Haireasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the first British troops will leave Greece.
§ Mr. BevinAs I have frequently stated, I am most anxious that British troops should be withdrawn as soon as possible, 1222 but until the situation in Greece is clearer I am not prepared to make any further statement on this subject.
§ Mr. CocksAre we to understand from that answer that when the Royalists are strong enough to suppress the workers, British troops will be withdrawn and not before?
§ Mr. BevinNo, my hon. Friend is not to understand that. I cannot help what deductions he draws from the answer, but I would point out that it is not only British troops in Greece who have to be withdrawn. There are Allied Forces all over Europe.
§ Fliģht-Lieutenant HaireWill my right hon. Friend give the House an assurance that British troops in Greece will not be kept there for a day longer than is absolutely necessary?
§ Mr. BevinI think my hon. and gallant Friend may be assured of that. It will be revealed when the Budget costs of defence come up for discussion.
Mr. DriberģCan my right hon. Friend say whether the reports of the election, which have so far reached him, indicate that conditions are likely to be settled enough—
§ Mr. SpeakerThat does not arise on the Question.