HC Deb 18 March 1946 vol 420 cc1506-8
18. Major Wilkes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the Greek Government's decree of Wednesday, 13th March, banning all political meetings throughout the period of the forthcoming elections; and if he has addressed any communication to the Greek Government on this subject.

19. Mr. Zilliacus

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make representations to the Greek Government against its prohibition of public meetings and demonstrations during the election campaign, on the ground that elections held in such conditions are incompatible with democracy.

Mr. McNeil

I am afraid that my hon. Friends have misunderstood the law relating to this subject. A Ministerial Order issued on 13th December, 1945, prohibited all public meetings in the open air except those held in a walled or otherwise enclosed space. In view of the high state of feelings in Greece this seems to me a reasonable precaution to take. No fresh ban has been placed on the right of free assembly in Greece.

Major Wakes

Is the Under-Secretary aware that at Salonika yesterday, as reported in "The Times" this morning, the Greek Prime Minister made a speech in which he said that the only freedom given to political candidates in the present state of security in Greece was that given to Monarchists? Is he aware that the result of the election would not be a true indication of popular feeling in Greece, and will he reconsider the question of holding elections at the end of this month in conditions which will probably mean civil war?

Mr. McNeil

Like my hon. and gallant Friend, I have seen Press reports of the alleged statement made by the Greek Prime Minister, but reporting from Athens has not always been on the highest level.

Mr. Zilliacus

Is the Under-Secretary aware that the Greek Prime Minister has predicted that civil war will ensue after a Monarchist restoration as a direct result of this situation and that, if there is a civil war, a large part of world opinion will hold His Majesty's Government responsible?

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

On a point of Order. Is it your habit, Mr. Speaker, to allow hypothetical questions of that sort to be asked?

Mr. Speaker

I did not think it was a hypothetical question: I thought it was a very direct one.

Mr. Walkden

Since there are 200 Allied observers in Greece, when are we likely to have a report, unofficial, official, printed or typed from these observers so that we can have some kind of impartial observations for Members of Parliament to study?

Mr. McNeil

His Majesty's Government have been in receipt of a series of reports from this Commission. I will ask my right hon. Friend whether any of these can be published.

Mr. Austin

May it not be the case that those who are supplying my right hon. Friend with information on this very serious issue are deliberately misinforming him?

Mr. Thurtle

Does the Under-Secretary accept the hon Member for Gateshead (Mr. Zilliacus) as the mouthpiece of world opinion?

23. Flight-Lieutenant Haire

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the critical position in Greece, he will consider paying an immediate visit there in order to consult at first hand with British and Greek authorities in that country.

Mr. McNeil

My right hon. Friend does not consider- that any useful purpose would be served by such a visit.

Flight-Lieutenant Haire

In view of the far-reaching nature of the decision my right hon. Friend has taken not to postpone the elections, would he not care, in view, of the possible future happenings, to be bolstered up with his own firsthand impressions?

Mr. McNeil

My right hon. Friend has a great variety of reports available to him from Greece, including, as my hon. Friend the Member for Doncaster (Mr. Walkden) has reminded us, reports from rather more than 300 independent observers.

Mr. Blackburn

Will there be a comprehensive statement by the Government on the Greek Premier's recent statement and, in view of the fact that the 1941 Labour Party Conference agreed—

Mr. Speaker

That is not a question to put to a Minister. It is the Minister who is here to give information which hon. Members desire to have.

Mr. Warbey

Has the Under-Secretary seen a further statement madeby the Greek Prime Minister—

Mr. Speaker

That has nothing to do with this Question. The Question deals with a visit by the Foreign Secretary to Greece.