§ 40. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he expects to announce Her Majesty's Gov- 636 ernment's constitutional proposals for Cyprus.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydLord Radcliffe's Report has not yet been completed. I shall, of course, make a statement as soon as I can, but we shall need time to study the report.
§ Mr. RobinsonHas the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the remarkable statement of Mr. Averoff, the Greek Foreign Minister, reported in The Times yesterday, which marked a distinct move forward? Does he not agree that a similar move forward in the British Government's position might at least give some hope of a negotiated settlement of this tragic problem?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI saw with interest the statement reported yesterday, but I do not think it is suitable to deal with it by Question and Answer. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will also draw from it the conclusion that Her Majesty's Government have not been altogether wrong in their policy in recent years.
§ Mr. WadeAs some doubts have unfortunately been expressed on the genuineness of Her Majesty's Government's expressed intention to grant self-government, will the right hon. Gentleman take this opportunity of making it quite clear that the desire and intention of Her Majesty's Government is to grant self-government, and in due course to agree that the people should have self-determination?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIn regard to self-determination, I have made the position of Her Majesty's Government clear in a number of statements in recent months. In regard to self-government, it is our intention, as the terms of reference of Lord Radcliffe made clear, that the machinery of government in Cyprus should be transferred to Cypriot elected Ministers save for foreign affairs, internal security and external defence.