HC Deb 13 June 1967 vol 748 cc301-3
Q4. Mr. Gardner

asked the Prime Minister what communications he has had with the new Prime Minister of Greece.

The Prime Minister

I have had no communications with the Prime Minister of Greece, Sir, but Her Majesty's Government are of course in touch though Her Majesty's Ambassador.

Mr. Gardner

Is my right hon. Friend aware that amongst the very many people arrested in Greece are a number of Members of Parliament? Is he further aware that a very great many Members of this House would be in great danger of being arrested if they resided in Greece? Will he assure the House that there will be no official dealings with the present régime until democracy is restored?

The Prime Minister

We should have a direct responsibility for the freedom from arrest, whether in this country, in Greece or anywhere else, of hon. Members. With regard to the situation in Greece, as my right hon. Friend will know, Her Majesty's Ambassador in Athens, returning to Athens, after his discussions with my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and myself, made clear to the Greek Government the strength of public opinion in this country on recent events in Greece and was instructed to say exactly what our views were on the return towards democratic government in Greece, which has been laid down by the authorities there.

Mr. Whitaker

In view of the very great historic part this country played in the establishment of democracy in an independent Greece in the last century, will Her Majesty's Government continue forthrightly to condemn the present abrogation of democracy, in the same way that Denmark and Norway have done?

The Prime Minister

Since the Government are as concerned as my hon. Friend is with getting the right results there, which is the evolution back towards democratic and Parliamentary institutions, as promised by the régime, I think that we shall make progress by continuing to press them in this direction rather than by condemning them.

Mr. John Fraser

Will my right hon. Friend discuss with our N.A.T.O. allies the specific obligations of Greece under the North Atlantic Treaty to preserve democracy, liberty and the rule of law? Will he further discuss with them the question whether Greece should remain a member of N.A.T.O. and receive military aid whilst she is in breach of these obligations?

The Prime Minister

I think that it is a matter for each N.A.T.O. member to indicate to Greece, in whatever way seems appropriate to each member—and we have been indicating very strongly our views—what we feel is the duty of the Greek Government in the matter of a return to democracy.

Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

Will the Prime Minister make equally enthusiastic representations to secure the restoration of Parliamentary government in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania?

The Prime Minister

I do not think that supplementary question arises out of this particular Question.