§ 46. Mr. Bennasked the Prime Minister, following the invitations recently sent to the Greek and Turkish Governments, to what extent it is now the policy of Her Majesty's Government to renounce their claim that Cyprus is entirely within the domestic jurisdiction of the United Kingdom.
§ The Prime MinisterI dealt with the subject of Cyprus in my statement in this House on 30th June, and I have nothing to add to what I said in that statement.
§ Mr. BennWould the right hon. Gentleman agree that it is clear that this invitation to the Greek and Turkish Governments, which we all welcome, completely destroys the juridical basis on which Her Majesty's Government refused the debate on Cyprus in the United Nations? Is not this bound to lead to a renewal of the demand for a debate, and ought there not to be one in which the people of Cyprus are represented?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not follow the hon. Gentleman in any of his statements which are glosses of what I said. I prefer to stand by my own statement, which was accepted by the House, and by the terms of the invitation, which were accepted by the Greek and Turkish Governments. This House would make the greatest mistake, after both Governments have accepted the invitation, if they tried to put any other gloss on what it meant.