HC Deb 14 December 1967 vol 756 cc633-5

Mr. Malcolm MacMillan (by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement about the position of British nationals in Greece, arising from the rejection by the Head of State of the military Government in Athens.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)

Mr. Speaker, in the unavoidable absence of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary I thought that it would be for the convenience of the House if I were to answer this Question.

Our Embassy in Athens has received no reports of British lives or property being endangered by the events of the last 24 hours.

Mr. MacMillan

Now that the Greek King, as Head of State, has both rejected and dismissed the junta as enemies of the Greek democracy and people, will Her Majesty's Government consider withdrawing recognition of the Fascist junta in Athens, which is acting in savage defiance of every concept and principle of democracy and has become a menace and weakness within our N.A.T.O. Alliance?

The Prime Minister

When my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary returns, obviously one of the first things which we shall have to discuss is the position arising from the fact that our recognition of the Greek Government no longer appears to be valid because the Head of State to whom our Ambassador is accredited is no longer in Greece. Obviously, the whole question comes up for reconsideration because of that fact.

Mr. A. Royle

In view of the possibility of British subjects being in the King's entourage, if the King applies for political asylum in this country, will Her Majesty's Government give very careful consideration to his request?

The Prime Minister

At this stage, that is a hypothetical question. Certainly, if such a proposal were made we would give careful consideration to it.

Mr. Orme

Following on my right hon. Friend's previous Answer about revising our recognition of the régime, would he give serious consideration to this because, in Greece, Britain is held in very high esteem by the Greek people? Many people there are suffering torture at the moment. We feel that stronger action by the British Government is needed.

The Prime Minister

My hon. Friend will be aware that it is the traditional practice of Her Majesty's Government, and always has been, to base recognition not on approval of a Government but on whether they have control of the country concerned, by whatever means. So the question of recognition is quite different from that of, for example, diplomatic relations. It is another question again whether or not we approve of the barbarous methods in use in Greece today.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

Without prejudging what is still obviously an uncertain situation, will the Prime Minister agree that the Greek King has shown considerable courage and pluck? Will he ask those of his hon. Friends who insulted and abused the Greek King some months ago to withdraw their remarks?

The Prime Minister

This is one of the issues very much in the mind of the Government, because it is clear that the Greek King, during all this period, was going through a very difficult situation, and had a lot of things forced on him which were obviously totally intolerable and unacceptable to him. Certainly, the House would pay tribute to his courage in this situation and to the determination which he expressed, and which now seems for the time being incapable of achievement, of getting Greece back to conditions of constitutional government, legality and democracy.

Mr. Gardner

Has my right hon. Friend any information about the effect of the situation in Greece upon Cyprus, particularly in relation to the Greek and Turkish troops in Cyprus and the prospective withdrawal of them?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. There does not seem to be any connection between this and the withdrawal of troops from Cyprus. Agreement had been reached on that before these events took place, and there is no reason to suppose that that will have any effect on the situation in Greece.

Several Hon. Members rose —

Mr. Speaker

Order. Mr. Heath. Business Question.