§ 11. Mr. Dribergasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that British embassy officials in Athens have consistently tried to obstruct the revival of trade between Greece and Yugoslavia; and if he will reverse this policy.
§ Mr. DribergWhy? Let hon. Members keep quiet a moment. Can my right hon. Friend give an absolute assurance that at no time during the last 18 months has 1048 any Embassy official spoken or acted in the way suggested in the Question? Will he do his best positively to encourage this trade, for the mutual benefit of the two countries?
§ Mr. BevinWhy should I be asked to give such an assurance when the whole conception of the Question is a lie?
§ Mr. DribergOn a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Is the right hon. Gentleman entitled to use that un-Parliamentary word about a Question by an hon. Member?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe right hon. Gentleman did not say that the hon. Member was a liar. He said that the statement which is reported is a lie. That is a different thing.
§ Mr. DribergIs there any difference, Mr. Speaker, with great respect?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe right hon. Gentleman first of all said that the statement was quite untrue and without foundation; and then he used stronger words; but he did not refer to the hon. Member; he referred to the statement. I think that the right hon. Gentleman was justified.