§ Q7. Mr. John Fraserasked the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Prime Ministers of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation countries about the supply of arms to Greece; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. M. StewartI have been asked to reply.
None, Sir. I have nothing to add to what my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary told my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, South (Mr. Winnick) on 13th March.— [Vol. 779, c. 352–3.]
§ Mr. FraserWould my right hon. Friend consider seeking an opportunity to persuade our N.A.T.O. colleagues not to supply arms to Greece under N.A.T.O. commitments until democracy is restored there? Will he confirm that there is no arrangement between this country and Greece to supply arms where they have not been supplied before?
§ Mr. StewartThere have been no substantial sales of arms to Greece from this country since the present Government there came to power. One should say that one would not want to take action which would damage N.A.T.O. without bringing any help to the Greek nation.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyHas my right hon. Friend seen a number of reports about British arms having been supplied to the Greek régime? Would he comment on that?
§ Mr. StewartIt is not the practice to comment on particular transactions. I repeat what I said earlier, that there have been no substantial sales of arms to Greece from this country since the present Greek Government took power.
§ Mr. EllisWhat does my right hon. Friend mean when he uses the word "substantial" in this context? Is he aware that many of my hon. Friends believe that if there is a case for having N.A.T.O., it is that it is an organisation designed for the defence of democracy? Is it not reasonable to ask that, as there is no democracy in Greece, there should be no sales of arms to that country?
§ Mr. StewartIf my hon. Friend will look at the membership of N.A.T.O. and 1796 at the part which it has played in Europe in the 20 years of its life, he will, I think, agree that it does defend democracy.