§ 28. Mr. Warbeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will instruct the British delegates to the General Assembly of the United Nations to support the proposal now before the Political Committee of the United Nations Assembly for an appeal to the Greek Government to exercise clemency towards the ten seamen recently sentenced to death by a Greek military court.
§ Mr. MayhewThere is no such proposal before the Committee. On 6th November, the Committee decided by 43 votes to 6 that it was not competent to deal with a Yugoslav resolution that it should call upon the Greek Government to take steps to prevent the execution of these ten men. The Committee by 41 votes in favour, none against (and 6 abstentions) resolved to take note of an offer by the Greek Delegation to discuss the question with the Chairman of the Committee; to express confidence that the Chairman would take appropriate action; and to proceed with its agenda.
§ Mr. WarbeyAs, according to the information given by my hon. Friend, the United Nations have taken cognisance of this matter, will he now directly make use of the undoubted influence possessed by British representatives in Greece to ensure that the sentences imposed on these men are quashed?
§ Mr. MayhewNo, Sir, our position remains as before. We cannot accept responsibility for the administration of Greek justice.