§ 54. Mr. Dribergasked the Prime Minister if he will publish a list of those territories within the British Commonwealth and Empire which are considered by Her Majesty's Government, for strategic or other reasons, to be ineligible for self-determination.
§ The Prime MinisterEach exceptional case should be decided on its own individual merits and in accordance with the circumstances prevailing at the time.
§ Mr. DribergIs the right hon. Gentleman aware how shocked and disappointed people were in Cyprus, for instance—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—who had relied on the assurances of the Western Powers that all peoples were entitled ultimately to self-determination, when the Minister of State said on 28th July that Cyprus was one of those territories which could never enjoy full self-Government and self-determination? Does his negative answer today mean that there are more shocks in store for various colonial territories?
§ The Prime MinisterThe word "never" is one which in politics can only be used in its general relativity to the subject.
§ Mr. GrimondMay we take it that the general relativity of this subject does mean that the question of self-determination for Cyprus may be reconsidered at some future date?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think I should like in reply to a supplementary question to say anything upon a subject of this kind. My remark was of a general character and the word "never" has no special application in this case.
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that the people of Cyprus are as yet fully aware of the effect on their future material welfare which may be produced by any change in present sovereignty?
§ The Prime MinisterIt is a great many years since I visited Cyprus, and exactly the same feelings were alive there then as are alive now. But they have been expressed with a considerable degree of restraint and good feeling, and the prosperity of the community has enormously increased and will bear most careful examination both by those who belong to it and by the outer world.
§ Mr. DribergDoes the right hon. Gentleman recall that when he did visit Cyprus as Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies in, I think, 1909, he warmly encouraged the Enosis campaign? Can 1034 we take it that his answer today on the question of the word "never" does imply a distinct repudiation of the use of that word on 28th July by the Minister of State?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think it was the considered intention of my right hon. Friend the late Secretary of State to use the word "never" In fact, he was not aware that it had come in his impromptu statement until after he saw it. Therefore, the word "never" need not he brought in to complicate our affairs. But wiping out the word "never" does not mean that you substitute any other date.