§ 7. Mr. Edelmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arms and military supplies have been supplied on behalf of His Majesty's Government to the Greek Government during the last six months; and what further arms and military supplies it is intended to supply.
§ 11. Mr. Benn Levyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what application for arms has been received from the Greek Government; and on what conditions that request has been, or is to be, granted by His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. MayhewThe hon. Members will be aware that His Majesty's Government undertook in October, 1945, to make available free of charge certain additional initial equipment for the Greek Army and gendarmerie, the estimated value of which would be about £11 million It was understood at that time that the Greek Government would pay for the maintenance of their Armed Forces as from 1st January, 1946. It has since become clear that the Greek Government are unable to do this, and His Majesty's Government accordingly undertook some months ago to assist them in meeting this cost until 31st March, 1947. The actual arrangements to this end, and the estimates of the cost, are not yet complete. The Greek Government have, moreover, very recently suggested to His Majesty's Government that, in view of the deterioration in the state of law and order in Greece, the scales hitherto agreed between the British and Greek military authorities to be the minimum necessary should be increased in certain respects. These proposals are at present being examined.
§ Mr. EdelmanIn view of the grave dangers which would arise in Greece from 591 intervention with arms by Russia, Yugoslavia, Great Britain, or any other Power, would the Minister state definitely that he will not agree to arm a Greek militia?
§ Mr. MayhewWe have not been approached officially on that question. I gather that it has been raised in Greece, but, as it is rather a different matter, perhaps the hon. Member would put down a special Question.
§ Mr. LevyCan the Minister give any assurance at all to allay the fear that such arms as these may find their way to equip not a truly national impartial Army, but the particular partisans of the present very dubious régime for the purpose of subduing their political opponents?
§ Mr. MayhewOur commitments only deal with the regular Greek Forces.
§ Mr. WarbeyWhat does my hon. Friend mean by saying that no request has been made officially for the arming of a private Army in Greece, but that such a request has been made in Greece? Does he mean that it has been made to the British Ambassador, or not?
§ Mr. MayhewI merely mean that this matter has been under discussion in Greece, not with ourselves or on an official level, but that it has been raised by the Greeks.
§ Mr. WarbeyHas it been raised with British representatives?
§ Mr. MayhewNo, Sir. I am sorry I used the word "raised" incorrectly. All I meant to say was that no official communication has been made to His Majesty's Government in this connection.
§ Mr. AustinIs my hon. Friend aware that a more democratic representation in the Greek Government would do away with the necessity of such arming altogether?