HC Deb 14 December 1967 vol 756 cc611-2
18. Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will advise the exercise of the prerogative of mercy by commuting the prison sentences now being served by Messrs. Randle, Foley and Chandler for their part in demonstrations at the Greek Embassy.

25. Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will advise the exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy in respect of Mr. Chandler, Mr. Randle and Mr. Foley.

Mr. Callaghan

I cannot recommend interference with the decisions of the courts unless significant new facts or considerations have come to light which the courts were unable to consider. In this case no such considerations have been brought to my notice and there are accordingly no grounds on which I should be justified in advising the exercise of the Royal Prerogative.

Mr. Rose

I recognise my right hon. Friend's difficulty, but will he bear in mind the widespread conviction that long-term imprisonment is entirely inappropriate for an offence of conscience? Will he look again at the possibility of recommending the exercise of the Prerogative? Is he aware that today the King of Greece would probably not be able to get into his own Embassy?

Mr. Callaghan

From the volume of noise I am aware that this case raises considerable emotion, but I must judge my advice on the exercise of the Royal Prerogative in accordance with the well-known practice. As for the young men themselves, I see no reason why at least one of them who wishes to continue his studies should not do so while in detention, and I want to examine that sympathetically in order to ensure that he loses as little time as possible.

Mr. Winnick

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that he ought not to keep in prison people who felt so deeply about the taking of power by Greek colonels that they protested actively a few months ago? Does he not agree that, apart from anything, else the release of these three would show the utter contempt which we in Britain have for the military riff raff who still rule Greece?

Mr. Callaghan

I shall not comment on my hon. Friend's second supplementary question which does not arise out of the Question. To have asked the first he cannot have heard what I said. If I put myself into the position of reviewing sentences passed by the courts, there would be no end to it and there would be an immediate conflict between the Executive and the courts, which might well have very undesirable consequences.

Mr. Grieve

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind when listening to representations of the kind just made by his hon. Friends that it will be a sad day for the rule of law in international affairs if this of all countries tolerates invasion of embassies as a means of expressing political feelings?

Mr. Callaghan

I certainly do not forget that our own people in China have been subjected to very considerable molestation because of disagreeing with the regime of that country. On the other hand, I do not think that anybody should be prevented from expressing his detestation of a régime, provided that he does so in a lawful way.