§ 55. Mr. Pickthornasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what instructions have been given to His Majesty's representatives with the United Nations about the abducted Greek children; and what reports have been received about the effect of the General Assembly's resolution of 27th November, 1948.
§ Mr. MayhewThe United Kingdom delegate was instructed to support a resolution passed unanimously by the ' Assembly on 18th November requesting the International Red Cross to continue their efforts to get the children back to their homes, and to report progress to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge (Mr. Symonds) on 16th November. Further details are given in the International Red Cross' report of 5th October, copies of which have been placed in the Library.
§ Mr. PickthornWhen the Under-Secretary says "Cambridge," I assume he means Cambridge Borough. When 777 he says "to report progress," can he tell us the date on which that progress report is expected?
§ Mr. MayhewNo, Sir. I cannot give the date.
§ Mr. WarbeyCan my hon. Friend say whether the Greek delegate to the United Nations has given any undertaking that children will be sent straight back to their homes and not to one of the Greek islands to be indoctrinated?
§ Mr. MayhewI have no knowledge of that point.
§ Mr. Kenneth LindsayCan the Under-Secretary say whether one Greek child has been returned to Greece? Will he correct the implication that has been made, and say that no Greek child at this stage is on any Greek island?
§ Mr. MayhewNo single Greek child has yet returned. I ask the House to try to consider the difficulties of this problem. I am prepared to consider any constructive suggestions the hon. Member may wish to put forward.