HC Deb 24 October 1956 vol 558 c635
34. Mr. Teeling

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent the Maronite community have been consulted, before a final decision has been reached, on Lord Radcliffe's suggestions for a constitution for Cyprus.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

A memorandum was presented to Lord Radcliffe by a leading Maronite and discussed with him.

Mr. Teeling

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the Maronites are feeling very worried about the present situation, because they have always been considerably oppressed by the Turks, that they are certainly not Greeks and do not want to be linked up with Greece, that they are closely linked with the Roman Church and feel very strongly that in some way in the new constitution they would like to have some representation of their own?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am very conscious of that, of their connection with the Roman Catholic Church, and of their continued and never ceasing loyalty to the British Crown.

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