HC Deb 11 April 1973 vol 854 cc1319-21
24. Mr. Woodhouse

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to improve diplomatic relations with Greece.

Mr. Anthony Royle

It is already the policy of Her Majesty's Government to work for good and constructive relations with Greece as a NATO ally.

Mr. Woodhouse

I realise that the only step that could produce a real improvement in Anglo-Greek relations is beyond the Government's power, but will my hon. Friend make it unmistakably clear to the Greek Government that it can only make relations worse if they persist in arresting, harassing and persecuting long-standing friends of this country, such as Professor John Pesmazoglou, Mrs. Virginia Tsouderos and Professor Dimitrios Tsatsos, whose only offence is that of preferring democracy to military dictatorship? May I press my hon. Friend for an assurance that so long as those conditions persist there is no question of a visit to Greece by a Foreign Office Minister?

Mr. Royle

I appreciate the feelings of sympathy which my hon. Friend has expressed—and which I know are shared by hon. Members on both sides —for political detainees anywhere. My right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Defence made it clear to Greek leaders during his unofficial visit to Athens last September that the question of political prisoners causes considerable concern in this country. I can also give my hon. Friend the assurance that no ministerial visits are planned at present.

Mr. Frank Allaun

Is it not a fact that tomorrow there is to be an official visit by Admiral Sir Peter Hill-Norton, Chief of the Defence Staff? Lest that create the false impression that the British people support the brutal regimé of the Greek colonels, will the Minister ask his Cabinet colleagues to cancel the visit?

Mr. Royle

The hon. Gentleman is probably aware that the visit of the Chief of the Defence Staff is in return for the visit of General Angelis, Chief of the Greek Defence Staff, and Admiral Margharitis, Commander in Chief of the Greek Navy, in 1971 and 1972. It is interesting that there was no complaint or Question in the House in 1971 or 1972. Greece is our ally in NATO, and the visit by the Chief of the Defence Staff is in the NATO context. The policy carried out by the Government is essentially the same as that followed by the previous administration.

Sir Harmar Nicholls

Will my hon. Friend keep in mind that we all live in the same world and that although there may be great differences of approach in various countries the best way to get people to appreciate what we regard as a reasonable line is to keep in touch with them, visit them and try to share minds?

Mr. Royle

I agree with my hon. Friend.

Mr. Freeson

Does the Minister recall that NATO is an alliance set up in defence of freedom and democracy? Therefore, will he undertake to make representations to the Greek Government and the Turkish Government—[An HON. MEMBER: "And Portugal."]—yes, and all the areas for which the hon. Gentleman is responsible in the Foreign Office, that we deplore and object strongly to allies who are with us in the defence of freedom undertaking to establish dictatorial regimés, and carrying out political persecution, torture, arbitrary arrest and the arrest of lawyers defending people who have been arrested by the régimes?

Mr. Royle

I cannot do better than to read to the hon. Gentleman the following quotation: Actions against Greece in NATO would not necessarily help the Greek people, but would undermine the security of the southeast flank of NATO, thus putting at risk democratic ideals and parliamentary institutions on a scale far wider than Greece."— [OFFICIAL REPORT, 16th December 1969; Vol. 793, c. 1139.] That statement was made in 1969 by Mr. George Thomson, the then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Mr. Frank Allaun

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.