44. Mrs. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made towards the implementation 2054 of the new constitution for Cyprus announced to the House on 28th July, 1954.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Governor is engaged on the many questions of substance and detail that have obviously got to be carefully worked out. I shall make a further statement as soon as practicable.
47. Mrs. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will call a conference of representatives of the main interests in Cyprus to consider the constitutional future of the island.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNo, Sir, but the Governor of Cyprus has on several occasions made it clear that he is ready to meet such representatives to discuss constitutional development.
Mrs. JegerCan the right hon. Gentleman say what steps have been taken by the Government to make this willingness to meet representatives perfectly clear? Has this been a public invitation to the leaders of the Cypriot people?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThere have been constant statements by the Governor, both broadcast and spoken, and there have been statements by me in this House. I do not think that anyone who knows him would deny that the Governor of Cyprus is one of the most accessible people it is possible to find in that part of the territory.
§ Mr. RankinIs the Minister aware that a number of these territories do not seem to like the constitutional proposals of the Government, and is he further aware that Nyasaland is a possible source of trouble in that respect?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe hon. Gentleman must not make the mistake of confusing the problems of one territory with another.
§ Mr. RankinI used that as an illustration.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe constitutional proposals for Cyprus have not been disclosed, but they will be when people are prepared to come forward and discuss them.