§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what statement he made to the Turkish Press on 29th December about the Turkish Government's use of imprisonment.
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what statement he made to the Turkish Press on 29th December about the suppression by the British Press of the facts of torture by the Turkish Government;
(2) what statement he made to the Turkish Press relating to the use of torture.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleIn an interview given to the Turkish newspaperMilliyet on 20th December, my right hon. Friend 145W stated that he thought the Turkish authorities deserved support and understanding in their obvious determination to retain their democratic institutions in the face of a ruthless terrorist movement and he recalled the kidnapping and murder of the two British and one Canadian subject last March. My right hon. Friend regretted that a number of allegations had been made against the Turkish authorities which could only encourage disruptive forces and consequently hamper rather than promote progress.
As I explained in a written answer to the hon. Member for Hackney, Central (Mr. Clinton Davis) on 11th December 1972, we are aware of the expressions of concern about the situation in Turkey which have been made by reputable individuals and organisations. The Turkish Government themselves have recently announced their intention to produce a White Paper on allegations that physical and moral pressure is exerted on defendants in martial law trials in Turkey.—[Vol. 848, c. 5.]