§ 50. Mr. Bevanasked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government will clearly lay down the conditions under which the Governor of Cyprus would be prepared to renew negotiations with Archbishop Makarios.
§ The Prime MinisterThere can be no question of negotiation in Cyprus until law and order are restored. The recent talk which my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary had with Archbishop Makarios did not encourage any hope of a successful outcome to further negotiations with him. In the circumstances, I have no statement to make about discussions with him.
The position of Her Majesty's Government in respect of constitutional progress has, however, been made clear in the White Paper, and that offer still stands.
§ Mr. BevanAre we to understand that the statement made, or alleged to have been made, by Sir John Harding—that he would never recommend negotiations with Archbishop Makarios—represents the Government's policy? Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that history is full of statements as foolish as that, and that negotiations have subsequently had to be undertaken with leaders who have been repudiated? Will the right hon. Gentleman be careful not to say something now which he may have to undo later on, and which may be an obstacle to negotiations?
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend asked the Governor about the statement to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred, and he informed my right hon. Friend that what he said was that he could not recommend Her Majesty's Government to renew negotiations with Archbishop Makarios—and he gave his reasons. I can see no cause to take exception to that.
§ Mr. BevanHas not the right hon. Gentleman now actually said the same thing, namely, that he will not negotiate with Archbishop Makarios? Is it not unwise to say something now which may be a barrier to negotiations?
§ The Prime MinisterIf the right hon. Gentleman will look at my reply he will see that I have been very careful in the words I have used. At the same time, I must point out to the House that if law and order is restored it will not be due to Archbishop Makarios. I am certainly not prepared to enter into a commitment of any kind in the matter of future negotiations.
§ Sir R. JenningsIs the Prime Minister aware that the whole House and country are behind the Government in their action?
§ Mr. J. GriffithsMay I ask the Prime Minister a question arising from his original reply to my right hon. Friend, from which I understood him to say that there would be no negotiations until law and order were restored? When law and order are restored, with whom do the Government propose to negotiate? If at that stage they find that a settlement is impossible without negotiating with Archbishop Makarios, will they then be prepared to negotiate with him?
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. Gentleman asked with whom we would negotiate. That is hardly for me to say at this stage. The first stage is the restoration of law and order. That really involves the removal of fear, by which I mean the removal of fear, above all, from the Cypriots themselves. When that situation arises, there may be possibilities of negotiation with personalities whose names we have at present no reason to list.
§ Mr. BevanDoes that mean that the Government are quire clear about those with whom they would not negotiate but are quite blurred and vague as to those with whom they would negotiate?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that when the right hon. Gentleman reads my Answer he will come to that conclusion. I have chosen my words extremely carefully and the position is, as I stated it. It is a definite and clear position on which to rest.