-26- #680, Nineteenth, from London our American friends pound; I admit which prevented a massacre in Athens. That is my absolute conviction and I believe it is shared by virtually everybody who saw the situation as it then was. I have something to say to the committee. The government have been criticized, they have been maligned they have been taunted for the policy they have pursued in Greece. In that matter it has admittedly dons us Some injury in other lands where it is not easy in all respects to understand the issue. I think that this afternoon I have for the government the right to say to the committee "have we your support or have we not?" I have set out our case as fully and fairly as I can. I have made plain that the whole of our authority will be used to See that there is nothing in the nature of prescription and no punishment because these people in their folly if you like have taken arms against the state. We will do our best to ensure that at tehe earliest moment there are free elections in Greece but meanwhile we must have an expression of the views of this House. We are entitled to know whether as a result of this discussion the world is to believe we are supported by the overwhelming majority of this House or not. It is difficult sometimes when you read as I have to dispatches from abroad. I read r5ports that the government's position is shaken on account of its policy in Greece. We all know that that is not true. We |