§ Q4. Mr. Dribergasked the Prime Minister what consideration he has given to the representations forwarded to him by the hon. Member for Barking on the subject of demonstrations in connection with the State visit of the King and Queen of the Hellenes; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterI have considered the representationswhich the hon. Member forwarded but I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member's supplementary question on 27th June.
§ Mr. DribergDoes the Prime Minister recall that in that reply he appeared to give an assurance to the House on"the ordinary rights of peaceful demonstration"?—[Official Report, 27th June, 1963; Vol. 679, c. 1654.] Since that reply, presumably, represented the collective view of Her Majesty's Government, will he intervene, or ask the Home Secretary to intervene, to preventthe contemptuous ignoring of his statement by the Chief Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis, who has suppressed all demonstrations, however peaceful?
§ The Prime MinisterIt was in the spirit of my reply that, as, no doubt, the hon. Gentleman observed, a march was held in the West End of London on 7th July.
§ Mr. DribergBut not during the visit.
§ Mr. DoughtyWould it not be most unfortunate if gangs of people were to give this country a bad name by hostile or discourteous behaviour towards the King and Queen of Greece when they are our official guests?
§ The Prime MinisterI agree with that, but I understand that the police are making the standard regulations on these occasions.
§ Mr. JegerCan the Prime Minister explain whether these representations throw any light upon this new-found hostility to Greece, since, a few years ago, the very same people who are now so hostile were advocating the handing over of Cyprus to Greece? Is it not a fact that the very same King and Queen of Greece were then in power in Greece, that there was then the very same form of Government, and that the very same Communists were in the same Greek prisons?
§ The Prime MinisterI am glad that the hon. Gentleman has called attention to these contradictions, which pass my understanding just as they do his.
§ Mr. M. FootWhat does the Prime Minister mean by"these contradictions"? Does not he understand that there are some people who are in favour of protecting the right of demonstration and political freedom in Cyprus, in Greece and in this country?
§ Mr. DribergI beg to give notice that I shall, at the appropriate time, Mr. Speaker, seek your permission to move the Adjournment of the House under Standing Order No. 9.