HC Deb 15 March 1948 vol 448 cc1814-5

"That a sum, not exceeding £2,000,000, be granted to His Majesty, to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1948, for a contribution to the cost of the Greek Armed Forces."

Resolution read a Second time.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution."

Mr. G. Thomas

I little thought that in the middle of a crisis such as we are facing on economic matters the House would be asked to make a further contribution towards the police state of Greece. Whatever may be our views about what is happening in Greece, no one, I think, is likely to suggest that the present reigning power is a democratic force. We find that secret arrest is legal and that newspapers which are not favourable to the Government have been suppressed. In short, we find all the ugly features which we condemn in other parts of Europe reflected there in full glory. It is monstrous for the Government to ask the House to grant another £2 million to support that tyrannical form of Government——

Sir W. Wakefield

Rubbish.

Mr. Thomas

The hon. Member may be an expert on rubbish. Perhaps he will allow me to continue and then make his own contribution of rubbish. I notice a growing tendency for hon. Members opposite to try to shout down anyone who says something they do not like. Freedom of speech is only menaced outside this House. I cannot remain silent on this issue. Things are happening which are a disgrace to humanity.

Mr. Blackburn (Birmingham, King's Norton)

By your friend Markos.

Mr. Thomas

I would quote the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who on 14th March last year said in this House that there are things happening in Greece today which His Majesty's Government could never condone. [Interruption.] If hon. Members read the Debate which took place on 14th March last year they will find that the right hon. Gentleman made no attempt to defend what was happening in Greece. I am not suggesting that those who are on the Left in Greece are all full of virtues and those on the Right are all full of vices. I am suggesting that it is wrong for this House to lend the good name of this country to supporting a regime which is opposed in my opinion to the very things for which we have stood through the long centuries of our history.

It being half past Nine o'Clock MR. SPEAKER proceeded, pursuant to Standing Order No. 14, to put forthwith, with respect to each Resolution ordered to be reported by the Committee of Supply and not yet agreed to by the House, the Question, "That this House doth agree with the Committee in that Resolution."

[For details of the remaining Resolutions, see OFFICIAL REPORT, 11th March, 1948; Vol. 448, C. 1542–1550.]