§ Q5. Mr. John Fraserasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about his recent discussions with Herr Brandt, the West German Chancellor.
§ The Prime MinisterI have nothing to add to what I said on 5th March in reply to Questions by the hon. Members for Banbury (Mr. Marten) and Chelmsford (Mr. St. John-Stevas.)—[Vol. 797, c. 612–5.]
§ Mr. FraserDoes my right hon. Friend accept that Europe is very lucky to have as leaders of its two strongest nations Social Democratic Heads of State who are able to reach such a degree of unanimity? Can he say whether Herr Brandt and he were able to reach unanimity on steps inside N.A.T.O. to restore democracy in Greece, which must be of great concern to both democratic leaders?
§ The Prime MinisterI share my hon. Friend's concern about democracy in Greece. He will know of the steps taken both by German and by British Ministers in the Council of Europe when the question of Greek democratic rights arose. A decision was taken that if Greece could not fulfil her commitments she should be expelled from the Council. This was followed by the withdrawal of Greece. I do not believe this is a matter for N.A.T.O. but that the Council of Europe is the right forum.
§ Sir Ian Orr-EwingDoes not the Prime Minister think it perhaps more important before tackling the question of democracy in Greece to tackle the question of democracy in trade unions in England, particularly concerning the fire services at London Airport?
§ The Prime MinisterThis was not a matter discussed, as the Question says, with Herr Brandt, the West German Chancellor, but the hon. Member will be aware that all matters of industrial relations in Britain on which hon. Members opposite have been trying to make capital since 1964 have now developed in an extreme form in Germany and other countries, which hon. Members opposite said did not happen.