§ 36. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what instructions he has now given to the United Kingdom representative at the Council of Europe on the question of the suspension of Greece from membership of the council.
§ Mr. MulleyNo instructions have yet been issued. We shall decide our attitude in consultation with our allies.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsIs it not time that Her Majesty's Government made up their mind and stated their view on this issue, bearing in mind the content of the resolution passed on this subject at the Council of Europe's last session?
§ Mr. MulleyI hope that the hon. Gentleman will accept that it is not simply a case of approving or disapproving of a resolution or recommendation. The recommendation in questions asks the Council of Ministers, after passing on the content of the resolution to the Greek Government, to take appropriate action. It also calls on the Greek Government to take action before coming to this request to the Council of Ministers. Since the Council of Ministers is not likely to meet until May and since this matter will not be considered further until next month in Strasbourg, there is time for consultation before these meetings, and it therefore seems right to us that that should happen.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWill my right hon. Friend take note of the strong feelings expressed at the Consultative Assembly in Strasbourg by people representing a very wide range of political opinion in connection with the utter undesirability of Greece remaining a member of a democratic assembly?
§ Mr. MulleyThe Council of Ministers must consider the recommendations which are put to it by the Assembly. I do not think that my hon. Friend was present at a somewhat earlier stage when I said that there was an overwhelming vote for the recommendation—there were 92 for and 11 against—registered by those participating in the discussions.