HC Deb 01 April 1968 vol 762 cc22-3
26. Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what decision has now been reached regarding raising the matter of the treatment of Greek political prisoners with the International Committee of the Red Cross.

52. Mr. James Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, following his study of the report of Amnesty International on the use of physical tortures on political prisoners by employees of the de facto Government of Greece, he will now request the International Committee of the Red Cross to carry out an investigation.

Mr. Mulley

I am glad to say that a team from the International Committee of the Red Cross has been working in Greece. In these circumstances I am satisfied that a formal approach to the International Committee of the kind suggested would not help.

Mr. Winnick

As some terrible torture cases have recently come to light, and have been published in newspapers such as The Guardian and The Times, may I ask why the Government are stalling on this very important matter? If the Scandinavian countries are willing to take action, why do the British Government seem so afraid to offend the thugs who at present are ruling in Greece?

Mr. Mulley

I am afraid that my hon. Friend has again got things completely wrong. It is nothing to do with the International Red Cross to investigate the issue that a Scandinavian Government have put to the European Commission on Human Rights. We have great sympathy with the motives of the Government that made that reference. That reference having been made, we must wait for the European Commission to carry out investigations in the way that it thinks best. The International Committee of the Red Cross can work only with facilities provided by the Government in whose territory it is working. I am glad to say that it is working in Greece, and we look forward to having its reports.

Mr. Davidson

Is it the Minister's opinion that the report of Amnesty International is entirely reliable?

Mr. Mulley

I am in no position to form a view, but I can tell the House that a representative of Amnesty International was in Athens last week, and I am glad to say that we were able to be of some service to him. I understand that some facilities were made available to him by the Greek Government. We are looking forward to getting his report as soon as it is available.

Mr. Winnick

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of my right hon. Friend's reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment as soon as possible.