HC Deb 25 April 1956 vol 551 cc1772-3
26. Mrs. L. Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to improve relations between the United Kingdom and Greece.

Mr. Nutting

Primary responsibility for the deterioration in Anglo-Greek relations, which Her Majesty's Government profoundly regret, lies with the Greek Government. Through their control of Athens Radio they have it in their power to bring about an immediate improvement by putting an end to the incitements to murder and general vilification of this country which they allow to be broadcast daily. Unfortunately, Her Majesty's Government's repeated appeals to them to desist have so far evoked no response.

Mrs. Jeger

The Minister has not answered the Question, which asked what steps he is taking to improve relations between the United Kingdom and Greece. In view of the fact that Greece has a long tradition of alliance with this country—a much more honourable tradition of alliance than certain other Middle Eastern countries can boast of—surely it is very much in the interests of all N.A.T.O. Powers particularly to try to improve the situation.

Mr. Nutting

Any shortcomings in my Answer are perhaps due to the fact that the hon. Lady had better put her Question to the Greek Government.

Mr. Bevan

Would it not be desirable, and would it not be a contribution towards better relations with Greece, if we stated clearly the terms upon which we would be prepared to have self-government in Cyprus? So far, no one knows the Government's policy in that regard. All we are told is that the Government will tell the people of Cyprus what the conditions are when there is peace. On the other hand, there cannot be conditions of peace in Cyprus until the people of Cyprus know what the conditions of self-government will be.

Mr. Nutting

The right hon. Gentleman has got it completely wrong.

Mr. Bevan

Oh!

Mr. Nutting

Her Majesty's Government's position and policy in this matter have been made plain on repeated occasions in the House, in negotiations with the Greek and Turkish Governments and in negotiations with Archbishop Makarios in Cyprus. The position of Her Majesty's Government in this matter is quite plain. There has been no equivocation whatever.

Mr. Bevan

Is the right hon. Gentleman not entirely wrong? Did not the Prime Minister himself state the other day, in answer to Questions from this side of the House, that there could be no negotiations about self-government in Cyprus until disorder had ceased, and am I not correct in saying that nobody, on either side of the House, knows the conditions for self-government in Cyprus?

Mr. Nutting

It is perfectly true, as the right hon. Gentleman says, that we said that no negotiations could be resumed until law and order had been restored. That is not to say that the position of Her Majesty's Government and the conditions for self-government which we have put forward have not been repeatedly made plain to the people of Cyprus.

Mr. Brooman-White

Would my right hon. Friend not agree that there is no advantage to ourselves or to the world at large in bettering our relations with one N.A.T.O. Ally on terms which might worsen our relations with another N.A.T.O. Ally?