§ 13. Mr. Woodhouseasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will terminate the negotiations for the adherence of the United Kingdom to the treaty of association between the European Economic Community and Greece.
§ The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Roy Hattersley)The negotiations on the protocol to adapt the association agreement between Greece and the EEC have made no progress for some months. The Community's relations with Greece will be considered as necessary in our continuing review of EEC policy.
§ Mr. WoodhouseDoes the hon. Gentleman appreciate that these negotiations offer the Government a much more effective lever for persuading the Greek Government to restore democratic institutions than the mere cancellation of a naval visit? Will he at least agree to make any renewal of these negotiations conditional upon the release of Mr. George Mavros, the leader of one of the major political parties in Greece, whose only offence has been to support the Government's policy towards Greece?
§ Mr. HattersleyThese negotiations are on a narrow commercial point concerning not membership but association. As to the attitude of the Government, I hope that hon. Gentlemen opposite have no doubt where we stand on the need for the restitution of democracy in Greece and our feelings about the imprisonment of those people who thought it right to express their support for the action which the Government took.
§ Mr. WhiteheadIs my hon. Friend aware that the decision to cancel the naval visit to Greece was widely welcomed in all parts of the House? Will he convey to the Greek Government the fact that many of us believe that incidents such as the arrest of Mr. George Mavros make it less rather than more likely that the Treaty of Accession negotiations can be continued?
§ Mr. HattersleyI am in strong agreement with my hon. Friend's comment 439 about the necessity for democracy to be restored in Greece before proper negotiations can continue concerning the relationship between the Community and Greece. I hope that the Government of Greece will understand the strength and depth of feeling held not only by the Government, but in all parts of the United Kingdom, and will feel that it is in their own interests, as well as the interests of the restoration of freedom in general, that they should make substantial progress towards achieving in Greece the sort of democracy we expect in the Western world.
§ Mr. MatherNevertheless, is not the hon. Gentleman aware that many people believe this to be a petty and spiteful attitude that may have an effect on our shipyards, which are to construct naval vessels for Greece?
§ Mr. HattersleyFor 150 years, not least concerning the revolution in Hungary 150 years ago and the American Civil War, workers in Britain have been prepared to pay the commercial price for standing up for principles on freedom. Long may they continue.