§ 4. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies with whom the Governor of Cyprus is negotiating for peace in Cyprus since the banishment of Archbishop Makarios.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI have nothing to add to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave to a Question by the right hon. Member for Ebbw Vale (Mr. Bevan) on 17th April.
§ Mr. HughesHas the Minister's attention been drawn to the wise speech of the Archbishop of Canterbury relating to this matter in which he said that before inaction injures our friends and incites our enemies still more, we can only hope that the Minister will take some—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder, order. The Minister is not responsible for what the Archbishop of Canterbury says.
§ Mr. HughesWith respect, I am not reading any more than one sentence from the speech.
§ Mr. SpeakerEven one sentence out of order is too much.
§ Mr. HughesMay I put it in this way? In view of the authoritative expressions with regard to this matter, what constructive and healing steps is the Minister taking?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIn regard to the first part of the hon. and learned Gentleman's supplementary question, I would say that my attention was indeed drawn to the Archbishop of Canterbury's speech and, for greater accuracy, he was kind enough to furnish me with a copy and I have made certain comments about it. In my view, it would be extremely helpful if all with powerful positions in this land or elsewhere would weigh most carefully the effect of their words, or what the effect might be, on moderate opinion in Cyprus—the need for such opinion to come forward being of paramount importance. In reply to the second part of the hon. and learned Gentleman's question, we are bending all our efforts to the restoration of law and order in Cyprus, which I think it is the paramount duty of the Government to do.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsMay I ask the Secretary of State whether he has considered, or will consider, the advisability of publishing the constitution which Her Majesty's Government would be able and willing to offer to Cyprus? Secondly, would he consider the advisability of approaching the Ethnarchy to see whether it is at all possible to resume negotiations? If not, what steps do the Government propose to take to seek some way of bringing the conflict to an end?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe recent remarks made by some members of the Ethnarchy do not encourage the hope that such an approach would be very effective. If I am not transgressing the rules of the House by reading the Answer to a later Question, I would say that no constitution is likely to have validity OT strength unless it is produced from genuine discussions by those who will be responsible for working it. That is bound to colour my approach to the idea of producing a constitution without discussion in Cyprus and presenting it to the Cypriots for them to look at.
§ Mr. GriffithsDoes the right hon. Gentleman propose to take any steps at all—renewed steps with anyone—to seek to negotiate a settlement?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe White Paper brought out very clearly the sort of framework of the constitution which we were prepared to bring forward. I think that is available for all to see.
19. Mrs. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the situation in Cyprus.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe terrorist organisation EOKA has intensified its campaign of intimidation, by increasing its attacks against Cypriots and against the police force and vehicles of the Security Forces. The number of murders by the terrorists now total 75, of whom more than half have been Greek-Cypriots, and those wounded total 226. Perhaps the most vicious incident was the shooting down of a Greek-Cypriot policeman inside a nursing home where he had just visited his wife and newly-born baby. The inhumanity of the terrorists is also shown by their bomb throwing and shooting with an increased disregard of the danger to Cypriot civilians. Instances of this kind have caused the deaths of two Cypriot children.
In order to assist the Security Forces in their investigation of terrorist crime, curfews and restrictions of vehicle movement have been imposed as necessary; and three villages have recently been fined. There was some inter-communal rioting In Nicosia following on the terrorist murder of a Turkish-Cypriot policeman, and a strict curfew was enforced in Nicosia, together with a ban on certain places of entertainment.
The Governor of Cyprus is coming to London shortly to keep my colleagues and myself fully up to date on the situation.
Mrs. JegerWhile deeply regretting this tragic recital that we have had to hear once again from the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask whether he will not now consider the possibility that the reopening of negotiations would itself contribute towards the ending of violence? How many more lives have to be lost before hon. and right hon. Gentlemen on the Government benches appreciate that their present policy stands no chance of being successful or effective?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI have no reason whatever to think that constitutional talks, which have been up to now quite unproductive, would themselves bring an 369 end to violence. There is this difference between the last statement I made to the House and this one: now it is possible to see real signs of abhorrence by ordinary moderate opinion in Cyprus at the methods being used by the terrorists. That is a good thing.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeWhile not wishing to go as far as the hon. Lady, the Member for Holborn and St. Pancras, South (Mrs. L. Jeger), and while warmly applauding every action that my right hon. Friend has taken to maintain law and order, may I ask whether he does not think that the time has arrived for the Government to make a fresh move on the constitutional and political front? Will he be able, while the Governor is here, to promulgate in greater detail the Government's constitutional proposals?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI do not know whether my noble Friend was in the House earlier when I answered a Question somewhat along those lines. If he was not, perhaps he will read it. As to the second question, all who have had dealings with Sir John Harding will know very well that no subject in the island for which he is responsible can be excluded from any talks that I am likely to have with him.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsWhile sharing the deep regret which has been expressed and joining in the appeal for cessation, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he would particularise as to what caused the rather disturbing inter-communal riots? Taking a long view, it will be a pity if they lead to deep-seated trouble between Turks and Cypriots in Cyprus. Will the right hon. Gentleman give instructions to the Governor that an attempt ought to be made once more to reopen negotiations to bring the trouble to an end?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIt is a very disturbing sign. One of the most fruitful causes of misunderstanding and ignorance in this country and elsewhere is the lack of knowledge of the Turkish position and of Turkish feelings, and of the proximity of Cyprus to the Turkish mainland.