HC Deb 06 December 1948 vol 459 cc22-4
45. Mr. Parkin

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered a statement signed by a large number of hon. Members of this House and by other persons calling for the initiation through the United Nations of a mediation commission in Greece; and whether he intends to take any action.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)

I have studied this statement and understand that a reply has been sent to the sponsoring organisation by the Foreign Office. His Majesty's Government do not intend to act upon this suggestion. The Charter of the United Nations expressly precludes interference in matters essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State. His Majesty's Government cannot, therefore, propose to the United Nations mediation between the Greek Government and the rebels. Moreover, the General Assembly has already made certain recommendations designed to promote conciliation between Greece on the one side and her northern neighbours on the other, and to prevent that continued interference by Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia in the internal affairs of Greece which is at the root of that country's trouble.

Mr. Parkin

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is sound evidence of the existence of a body of moderate and responsible opinion in Greece, which would welcome mediation and that this might lead to the formation of the sort of Greek Government which could be trusted by all Greeks? Will my right hon. Friend look into this matter personally, study these facts, and try to do something to dispel the bad impression that the British Government are only ready to intervene in support of a reactionary Government?

The Prime Minister

That, of course, can be corrected at once. Anyone who knows the history of Greece, knows the efforts that have been made to get a thoroughly representative Government in Greece and an election was held which elected the Government.

Mr. Eden

Is the Prime Minister aware that this Government was elected under a guarantee by all the Allied Powers, and has there ever been a Government in the Balkans elected under such careful precautions to see that it represented the views of the people?

The Prime Minister

What the right hon. Gentleman says is quite right.

Mr. S. Silverman

Whoever may have sponsored the election, is my right hon. Friend aware that the regime now is conducting such a policy that there is no member of the party supporting the Government in this House who, if he were a Greek citizen, would not be against it?

The Prime Minister

I am not aware of that, and I do not suppose my hon. Friend is aware of it.

Mr. Gallacher

Is it not the case that before the elections, to which the right hon. Gentleman referred, took place, the Foreign Secretary declared in this House that when the elections took place and the Government was formed British troops would be withdrawn from Greece? Why are they not withdrawn?

Mr. Speaker

That is a long way from this Question, which only asks for a mediation commission and not about the state of the Greek Government.

Mr. Pritt

Would the right hon. Gentleman, in considering the possibility of mediation, bear in mind, with reference to the oft repeated assurance that the trouble comes from the northern neighbours of Greece, first, that the evidence brought before the United Nations Commission shows that any such interference is simply laughable in its incongruity and smallness; and, secondly, the rebels are very busy and strong in the Peloponnesus, which is 100 miles from the front?

The Prime Minister

I do not think that that last observation affects the matter. I entirely disagree with the hon. and learned Member as to his first point.