HC Deb 11 November 1971 vol 825 cc1225-6
Q7. Mr. John Fraser

asked the Prime Minister whether he will seek a meeting with the Prime Minister of Greece.

The Prime Minister

I have no plans to do so.

Mr. Fraser

That is a welcome reply, but will the Prime Minister discourage his other Ministers from allowing such things as courtesy visits by Greek ships to the Thames? Will he also instruct the Home Office not to allow members of the Greek secret political police, who have been responsible for the torture of Greek political prisoners, to come to this country and to look at the activities of Greek expatriates who are opposed to the Fascism in Greece?

The Prime Minister

I have no knowledge of the latter point, but if the hon. Gentleman will let me have the information either I or my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary will gladly inquire into it. Courtesy visits of ships and officers are customary amongst N.A.T.O. members and are carried on by all major member countries.

Mr. Robert Hughes

Is the Prime Minister aware that the visit of British troops to Greece is widely used as propaganda in favour of the Greek regime? Will he see that such visits stop?

The Prime Minister

I am not sure about visits of troops having taken place. I repeat, there are many accepted visits of this kind in N.A.T.O. countries, and it is the wish of the Commander-in-Chief that they should continue.