HC Deb 20 October 1954 vol 531 cc1185-7
4. Mr. Anthony Greenwood

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the terms of the anti-sedition law in Cyprus promulgated at the beginning of August.

16 and 17. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) if he will allow newspapers in Cyprus to print reports of speeches or Questions in this House which advocate the right of the people of Cyprus to self-determination; and if he will allow British newspapers which do so to be sold in that Colony;

(2) why the "News Chronicle" of 4th August, 1954, was withheld from sale in Cyprus under the terms of the anti-sedition law; and what other British newspapers have been affected by this law.

18. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if the enforcement of the anti-sedition law in Cyprus, under which publishers and vendors of printed matter which advocates a change of sovereignty may be imprisoned for long terms or lose their British nationality, and newspapers may be suspended for three years, was announced with his authority.

49. Mr. Hale

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to state the measures which have recently been enforced for the restriction of the expression of opinion in Cyprus.

62. Mr. Wade

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will take steps to repeal or relax the existing laws in Cyprus restricting freedom of speech, freedom of the Press and liberty of the subject.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am taking the opportunity of the Governor's presence in London to discuss with him the points raised in these Questions. As I have not had time since my return to this country to go over the ground fully with him, I propose, with the hon. Members' permission, to make a statement on this aspect of Cyprus affairs next week.

Mr. Greenwood

In the meantime, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to bear in mind the fact that many people think it is inconsistent to offer the Cypriots a constitutional Government with one hand while, with the other, imposing upon them very repressive legislation which makes it illegal for newspapers to print speeches by the Archbishop or by right hon. and hon. Members of this House?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I will certainly bear in mind what the hon. Gentleman says, and I hope that he and his hon. Friends on their side will bear in mind that there has been no new legislation, and that the only legislation is that which was current during the previous Socialist Government.

Mr. J. Griffiths

In view of the statement yesterday by the Prime Minister clarifying a previous statement made on this matter, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if, in considering the question of Cyprus, he will consider the suggestion I ventured to put forward in the debate in July and discuss it with the Governor.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Yes, Sir, I will certainly do that, but I must point out that the remark attributed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of State yesterday by, I think, the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr. Driberg), that Cyprus could never enjoy self-government, is completely untrue, as a reference to HANSARD will show.

Mr. Hale

Though I do not wish to be discourteous to the right hon. Gentleman on his first appearance in his present office, may I ask him to say why he said that he would answer Question No. 49 with this one and then made no reference to the matter raised in Question No. 49, which asks him to state, quite briefly, the measures which have recently been enforced for the restriction of opinion in Cyprus?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

As I said, I will answer that Question next week along with other Questions dealing with sedition and the Press laws.

Mr. Wade

Without wishing to press the right hon. Gentleman at this stage, may I ask whether, in considering the enforcement of the anti-sedition laws, he will keep in mind the importance of maintaining our reputation in the world as a liberal minded nation?

Mr. Driberg

Since the right hon. Gentleman gave me the lie, may I ask him if he will look more closely at HANSARD, when he will find that the word "never" was used apropos of Cyprus by the Minister of State? He has probably been misled by the fact that his predecessor did not know that, and came into the debate later and wrongly denied that the word "never" had been used.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I took the earliest opportunity of correcting a misapprehension under which the hon. Gentleman obviously laboured. My right hon. Friend was referring to self-determination and not to self-government, and that was made plain.

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