39. Philips Priceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the disquiet existing in Turkey today on the grounds that this 217W country is believed to be preventing Turkey becoming part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; and whether he will take steps to secure the invitation of Turkey and Greece to discussions, with other Powers concerned, on the creation of a pact for the defence of the Eastern Mediterranean or of any other defence organisation.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesI am aware that it has been suggested in the Turkish Press that His Majesty's Government are opposing the entry of Turkey into the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and I am glad to take this opportunity of saying that there is no truth in these suggestions and that His Majesty's Government do not oppose the accession of Turkey or Greece to the North Atlantic Treaty. As I stated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Shoreditch and Finsbury (Mr. Turtle) on 2nd July, we are still discussing this question with our Allies; and we hope that it will not be long before a decision is reached. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by calling a conference at present.