HC Deb 09 May 1973 vol 856 cc485-7
29. Mr. Goronwy Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received during 1973 reflecting concern in Great Britain at the plight of political prisoners in Greece.

Mr. Anthony Royle

Ministers have received a number of written representations from Members of this House and the public.

Mr. Roberts

Have the hon. Gentleman and the Foreign Secretary read the letter in The Times of 30th April, signed by a number of members of the Cambridge University Economics Faculty, protesting against the Greek Government's treatment of Professor John Pesmazoglou? There are reports that for the past fortnight or three weeks this distinguished international economist, himself a graduate of Cambridge, has been held incommunicado and has also been subjected to torture. Will the hon. Gentleman make clear to the Greek Government our official condemnation of this latest example of their policy of vicious political persecution, in flagrant violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and of the European Convention on Human Rights?

Mr. Royle

I share the regrets of the right hon. Gentleman when friends of Britain are in prison anywhere, but official representations to another Government about their citizens raise difficult issues of jurisdiction. I understand that Professor Pesmazoglou has now been charged with conspiracy. I think, therefore, that it would be wrong for me to comment in detail or make a statement at this time.

Sir Elwyn Jones

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that many political prisoners in Greece, most of whom are, I think, friends of this country, are being detained in solitary confinement in the notorious military police interrogation centre in Athens, and are denied access to their families and to lawyers? Will he give due weight to these matters when arrangements are being discussed for the adherence of the United Kingdom to the Treaty of Association between the EEC and Greece? Indeed, will Her Majesty's Government undertake that unless these abominable practices are remedied we shall carefully consider that adherence?

Mr. Royle

Naturally I have noted seriously the right hon. and learned Gentleman's statement, but he knows that under the Treaty of Accession we are obliged to apply the provisions of the Community's agreements with third countries, including Greece, subject to any transitional arrangements or adaptations which may prove necessary. There can be no question of our saying—and I do not think that he will expect me to say—that we would seek to renege on our treaty obligations.

Mr. Orme

The hon. Gentleman says that there is difficulty in making representations. Is not Greece a member of NATO? Is there not a NATO code about peace and freedom? If a member country is violating that code, have we not a responsibility to raise the matter with that Government?

Mr. Royle

Greece is a member of NATO but we have no responsibility to inquire into the internal arrangements of independent countries—and Greece is a country which is perfectly responsible to run her own internal affairs.