HC Deb 11 June 1947 vol 438 cc1048-9
20. Professor Savory

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Greek Frontier Commission stationed in Salonika has been allowed to send its members into Bulgarian and Albanian territory to investigate the allegations made by Greece against these countries of giving aid to rebels in their attacks upon the Greek army.

Mr. Bevin

I assume the hon. Member refers to the subsidiary group of the Frontier Commission based on Salonika, which the Security Council decided to send to Northern Greece pending its consideration of the main Commission's report. The sub-Commission notified the Bulgarian Government on 28th May that it wished to investigate Greek allegations that bandits had evaded pursuit by crossing the Bulgarian frontier, and asked for facilities on Bulgarian soil. The sub-Commission arrived at the frontier on 2nd June, but was refused admission to Bulgaria. The Bulgarian Government in the meantime informed the sub-Commission that it would be allowed to enter Bulgaria as from 10th June. The sub-Commission has, as yet, put forward no request for permission to enter Albania.

Professor Savory

Were the Commission not received on the Bulgarian frontier on 4th June with fixed bayonets?

Mr. Bevin

I do not know how they were received.

Mr. Molson

In view of the fact that the Treaty with Bulgaria has not come into operation, and that there is an inter-Allied commission in control of Bulgaria, how does it come about that the Bulgarian Government were able to refuse entry to this commission?

Mr. Bevin

The Bulgarian Government, notwithstanding the Allied commission, I think, are Sovereign within their own frontiers, and I am not too sure, speaking from memory, whether or not the existence of an Allied council would determine who should or who should not be allowed into the country. I should like notice of that question.

Mr. Mack

In view of the fact that the Bulgarian Government have already agreed to let the commission enter their territory to make investigation, are not the questions coming from the other side of the House only jeopardising the situation, and making it more difficult?