§ 1. Mr. Awberyasked the Lord Privy Seal why Her Majesty's Government apologised to the Queen of Greece for the action of demonstrators in London who made a protest against the imprisonment of 1,100 political prisoners now in Greek prisons, requesting an immediate amnesty, in support of views publicly expressed by over 100 hon. Members of this House.
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Edward Heath)I have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in reply to Questions on 2nd May.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the Lord Privy Seal aware of the conflicting opinions held by the Government regarding this case? He stated on 8th May that Queen Frederika had been assaulted. The Home Secretary, the following day, said that the Queen had not been touched. Could he now present us with a report from the police so that we can get an accurate account of what happened? There was no offence as suggested on that day against the Queen. This case has been magnified mainly by the Press as opposition to Royalty in order to hide the real facts behind it that there are 1,100 men now in prison who have been there for 17 years.
§ Mr. HeathAny question of a report on the action of the police is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister dealt with the point that the hon. Gentleman has raised on the last occasion that this was discussed in the House, and he said that, of course, he 1286 accepted the statement of Her Majesty Queen Frederika that she was molested.
§ Mr. AwberyShe was not molested.
§ Mr. F. M. BennettIs my right hon. Friend aware that if there has been any magnification of this incident, it has been not by the Press but by those who keep on raising over and over again a question which for the good name of this country had better be buried as soon as possible?
§ Mr. HeathThis particular incident has been dealt with by my noble Friend the Foreign Secretary and by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and should be allowed to be left there.