HL Deb 26 March 1969 vol 300 cc1263-5
LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, in the unavoidable absence of my noble friend Lord Gifford, I ask leave of the House on his behalf to put the Question which is on the Order Paper in his name.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether in their deliberations within the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe they propose to urge that the recommendation of the Consultative Assembly, that Greece be suspended from the Council of Europe, be implemented.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (LORD CHALFONT)

My Lords, I assume that the noble Lord is referring to the recommendation made by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on January 30. This does not, of course, recommend the suspension of Greece. We are, however, in close touch with other member Governments about the recommendation it does make.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that reply, may I ask whether he saw the extraordinary statement in The Times yesterday, signed by judges, professors and officers of the military forces who have been dismissed in Greece, few of whom could be Communists? In view of the fact that there is now a Commission of Inquiry in Greece, could Her Majesty's Government at least give the assurance that if that Commission of Inquiry reports adversely about the democratic authority of the Greek Government Her Majesty's Government will be able to support its suspension from the Council of Europe?

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, I did see the item in the Press to which my noble friend refers. As he says, the question of the fitness of Greece to remain a member of the Council of Europe is being investigated at this moment by the European Commission of Human Rights—and I presume that that is the Commission to which he referred. Clearly, it would be quite improper for me to prejudge the findings of that Commission.

LORD ST. HELENS

My Lords, in order that the position may be absolutely clear, may I ask the Minister whether he does not agree that the recommendation to which the noble Lord, Lord Gifford, refers was in fact Resolution No. 361 which was passed in January, 1968, and that this resolution was superseded by Resolution No. 547 of January of this year, to which the Prime Minister referred in the other place on February 25 [OFFICIAL REPORT, Commons, Col. 1278]?

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, I am not, of course, aware of everything that goes on in the mind of the noble Lord, Lord Gifford. If he was in fact referring to Resolution No. 361 of January, 1968, then the noble Lord is right in his presumption that this has been superseded by the resolution of January of this year. Indeed, the resolution of January this year made reference to Resolution No. 361 and went on to make certain recommendations, which, as I have said, did not specifically include a recommendation to suspend Greece from the Council of Europe.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend (and I am not aware of all that is in the mind of my noble friend Lord Gifford) whether it is not the case that the second resolution which was adopted authorised a Commission of Inquiry, which is now taking place? And will it not be upon the recommendations of that Inquiry that the final decision will be reached?

LORD CHALFONT

No, my Lords. This resolution did not authorise the establishment or the operations of the Commission of Human Rights. It made certain recommendations to the Committee of Ministers. If it would be useful to the House, I might briefly recall them. It recommended the Committee of Ministers to take such action within such specified period as is appropriate, having regard to certain articles of the Statute of the Council of Europe and to the resolution of the Assembly. That is what this resolution did.

LORD INGLEWOOD

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he can confirm that it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to unite Europe rather than divide it, as now appears to be suggested by the noble Lord, Lord Brockway?

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, I cannot accept that what my noble friend Lord Brockway, or indeed my noble friend Lord Gifford, has said is in any way designed to divide Europe. I have the greatest sympathy for the motives that have led my noble friend to put down this Question and for the motives that have led my noble friend to say what he has just said. I can, however, confirm that it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to move towards a united Europe.