HC Deb 18 March 1946 vol 420 cc1505-6
15. Mr. Zilliacus

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the complaint of the Greek Premier that the police force is unreliable because of the number of members of the X organisation and other Right-wing terrorists it contains, whether he will ask Sir Charles Wickham to make a further attempt to get rid of recruits formerly belonging to these groups.

Mr. McNeil

It has always been the policy of Sir Charles Wickham and the British Police Mission to advise the instant dismissal from the Greek police and gendarmerie forces of any officer or man who is proved guilty of partiality in the execution of his duty or who can be shown to be a member of any illegal organisation.

Mr. Zilliacus

Is the Under-Secretary aware that the police forces recruited by Sir Charles Wickham were recruited on the basis of lists which proscribed any organisation connected with E.A.M. but did not proscribe any X organisations?

Mr. McNeil

That is not my information.

Mr. Blackburn

Is any action to be taken, in view of the Greek statement yesterday that Monarchist candidates are alone able to move about freely in Greece?

Mr. McNeil

There is another Question on the Order Paper more nearly related to that subject.

Mr. Benn Levy

Is it not the case that Sir Charles Wickham has, in fact, adopted the principle suggested by the hon. Member for Gateshead (Mr. Zilliacus), and that this is not denied in the Question I specifically put some weeks ago?

Mr. McNeil

I cannot accept the suggestion that recruitment to this force has been made in relation to any one list.

Captain Francis Noel-Baker

Is it not a case that the X organisation has been declared clearly to be illegal by the Greek Government?

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