HC Deb 13 June 1956 vol 554 c563
18. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now seek the assistance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation over the Cyprus problem.

Mr. Nutting

My right hon. and learned Friend does not consider that any useful purpose would be served by referring the present situation in Cyprus to N.A.T.O.

Mr. Grimond

I agree that the main Cyprus problem is clearly one for the Commonwealth itself, but have not the Government themselves pointed out that the whole of the Cyprus difficulty is leading to increasing bitterness between Greece and Turkey, and greatly weakening the defences of the eastern end of the Mediterranean? Would it not at least be possible to raise that part of the problem, and that part only, with N.A.T.O.?

Mr. Nutting

We deeply regret the deterioration in relations within N.A.T.O. which has been caused by this dispute, but that is not to say that N.A.T.O. is the correct machinery for resolving the present difficulties in relation to Cyprus.

Mr. Robens

In view of the fact that the Prime Minister said recently that Cyprus is required as a base in order to protect Middle East oil, and as Americans get a substantial amount of oil from the Middle East, is it not a question of dealing with the N.A.T.O. Powers in relation to a base which is there for the sole purpose of depriving the Soviet of Middle East oil?

Mr. Nutting

It may have escaped the attention of the right hon. Gentleman that the Middle East is outside the area of N.A.T.O.