HC Deb 04 June 1951 vol 488 cc683-4
47. Mr. Eric Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what official requests have been made to the North Atlantic Treaty Powers that the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation should be extended to include Greece and Turkey; and what is the attitude of His Majesty's Government with regard thereto.

The Minister of State (Mr. Younger)

Since the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in New York in September, 1950, there has been no official request that the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation should be extended to include Greece and Turkey. My right hon. Friend has already explained the position of His Majesty's Government in this matter in his reply to the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Watkinson) on 30th May.

Mr. Fletcher

That reply referred to Turkey rather than to Greece and Turkey. Would not my right hon. Friend agree that it is most desirable that both Greece and Turkey should be incorporated as soon as possible in an arrangement for the defence of Western Europe?

Mr. Younger

I think it is correct that that reply, given on the 30th, did relate to Turkey, but almost the same considerations apply to Greece. The matter is under consideration.