§ 4. Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her 11 Majesty's Government towards the continued membership of Greece in the Council of Ministers of the Council of Europe.
§ Mr. StewartI have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs told the hon. Member for Derbyshire, West (Mr. Scott-Hopkins) on 10th February. Our consultations with other member Governments have not yet been completed.[Vol. 777, c. 882.]
§ Mr. WinnickWill the Foreign Secretary give a firm guarantee today that the British Government will actively support the resolution passed by the Council of Europe on Greece, and will he say why it is that on so many occasions the Foreign Office lags behind Scandinavia in exposing the brutal dictatorship in Greece—is it because it is a Right-wing dictatorship?
§ Mr. StewartI do not think that the last part of my hon. Friend's Question is in any way justified by the facts. The resolution calls on the Council of Ministers to take appropriate action and that clearly requires consultation between them. The meeting of the Council of Ministers will be in May, there will be time for consultation, and it ought to take place.
§ Sir G. de FreitasIn considering the Government's attitude, will the Foreign Secretary bear in mind that all but one of the all-party British delegation in the Assembly voted for this resolution, and the one who did not vote abstained, he did not vote against it?
§ Mr. StewartYes, Sir, I am very much aware of that, and of the very strong feeling there was in the Assembly on this question.
§ 29. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, in view of the increased naval activity of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the Eastern Mediterranean, he will give an assurance that he will support the continued inclusion of Greece within the Atlantic and European organisations of which it is a member.
§ Mr. M. StewartNo Government have proposed Greece's expulsion from these organisations.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerWe may all deplore the delay in holding elections and in reinstating free institutions in Greece, but will the right hon. Gentleman confirm that no action will be taken which will weaken our defences in the Eastern Mediterranean?
§ Mr. StewartIt is our desire—and I believe that it is shared by hon. Members in all parts of the House—to see constitutional liberties restored in Greece, but I would not want to take action which would weaken N.A.T.O. without forwarding that purpose.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhy should we trouble ourselves about the presence of Soviet naval forces in the Mediterranean? Has not my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence declared that they can be shot out of the water in a few minutes?
§ Mr. StewartAlthough the Question referred to that point, that is not the only one in our minds. The strength and solidity of N.A.T.O. everywhere is of first-class importance.