Greek Seamen (Trial) (Hansard, 3 November 1948)

§ 44. Mr. Benn Levy
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received any reports from his representatives instructed to observe the conduct of the current trial in Athens of 37 Greek seamen.

§ Mr. Bevin
As no representative has been instructed to attend, the Question does not arise.

§ Mr. Levy
Is my right hon. Friend aware that on 15th September, the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs informed me, in point of fact, no 852 doubt in view of the rather special moral responsibilties and obligations which we have in Greece, that the Embassy there was to keep the Foreign Office informed?

§ Mr. Speaker
There is no representative, and the Question, therefore. does not arise.

§ Mr. Levy
May I point out, Mr. Speaker, that I am asking my right hon. Friend whether he recalls that I was informed that the Foreign Office was to be kept informed about these proceedings?

§ Mr. Speaker
The Minister stated that there was no representative. Therefore, the Question does not arise.

§ Mr. S. Silverman
Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs informed me that the Foreign Office would take care to see that the Embassy found out what was going on, would receive reports, and that he would communicate with me?

§ Mr. Bevin
It is true that we have observers, but that was not the question which was asked.

§ Mr. Levy
On a point of Order. In view of the evasive nature of the reply I beg to give notice that I shall——

§ Mr. Bevin
I made a mistake about our having observers at the trial. We ask for reports. That is the situation today.

§ Mr. Rankin
On a point of Order. I ask for your guidance, Mr. Speaker. I submitted a Question on these lines to the Table, and it was refused on the ground that the Foreign Secretary had no responsibility in this matter. A Question of that nature now appears the name of my hon. Friend.

§ Mr. Speaker
The matter is a little difficult. I did not know that the hon. Member for Tradeston (Mr. Rankin) had had a Question refused, but it seems to me that it was correctly refused. I have also indicated that as there was no representative instructed in this case, it was not necessary for an answer to be given.

§ Mr. Silverman
Further to that point of Order. Would the House be correct in assuming that there is no difference whatever about trials in other countries, 853 according to the countries in which they happen to be, and that our interest in trials in Yugoslavia or Roumania is no different from our interest in trials in Greece?

§ Mr. Speaker
That is a hypothetical question about which I should require considerable notice.

§ Mr. Gallacher
Further to that point of Order. Is it not the case that the Foreign Office is represented in Greece at the Embassy and in the Consulate? The Question as put appears to me to be whether the Foreign Office has instructed the Embassy or Consulate to observe this trial and report. Surely we should get an answer to that Question?

§ Mr. Speaker
We appear to be getting into a tangle here. The Question asked whether representatives were instructed to observe the conduct of a trial. The answer was that no representatives were instructed. Surely that cancels the whole Question.

§ Mr. Levy
Might I ask the Foreign Secretary whether, as a result of the reports which he now says he has received, he is completely satisfied as to the proceedings in these trials; or whether, for example, it is true that defence counsel were given no more than a seven or eight minutes' glimpse at the 60-page indictment, and even less facilities to interview those whom they were defending?

Mr. Bevis
It is not really a matter for us to conduct this trial—I should be involved in trials in Roumania and everywhere else. I really cannot undertake this duty. I am aware that a tremendous campaign is going on over one or two particular persons.

§ Mr. Leslie Hale
On a point of Order. Is it not a fact, in regard to this trial, in which it is suggested that there is no responsibility here, that there are people resident in this country who are being tried in their absence on a capital charge, and that their legal representative has been refused a visa to enable him to attend? In those circumstances, is it not a matter about which some Minister should be responsible to answer?

§ Mr. Speaker
The trial in another country of nationals of that country has nothing to do with us.