Situation

HC Deb 24 October 1956 vol 558 cc636-8

41. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to make a statement on the situation in Cyprus.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Recent operations in the Kyrenia hills resulted in the capture of six "hard-core" terrorists, as well as quantities of arms, ammunition and explosives and caused serious disruption to the E.O.K.A. organisation. Murders by E.O.K.A. have however continued ; the terrorists, recognising that they can no longer hope to achieve their object of overthrowing the Government, have been forced back on attempting to influence the course of events by individual acts of violence In this too they will fail. Her Majesty's Government are determined to re-establish the rule of law in Cyprus as a necessary preliminary to constitutional advance.

Mr. Robinson

Does not everything that has happened in the last two months suggest that the Governor's reaction to the E.O.K.A. truce offer in August was wholly misconceived and ill-advised? Was it not ridiculous to suggest that it was a sign that E.O.K.A. was on its last legs? Will the right hon. Gentleman use his influence to see that there is no repetition of such barbarous action as the eight-day continuous curfew in Nicosia, which resulted in the capture of not one single terrorist?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I cannot accept either of the hon. Member's conclusions.

Mr. Bevan

Why does the right hon. Gentleman continue to say that every evidence of moderation by the other side is a tribute to his own coercive measures? Why does he not realise that there is a genuine desire on the part of the people of Cyprus, and now evidence by the Greek Government, to have a settlement of this hideous problem? Why does the right hon. Gentleman make every reply in this House appear to be a boast about his own behaviour?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I do not think that is an altogether fair observation by the right hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Bevan

Of course it is.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I welcome any sign, anywhere, of the acceptance of some of the geographical and other facts of life of Cyprus in the present situation, but I must add that our task would have been made easier if from time to time the right hon. Gentleman and others had shown the same understanding of the problems when in Opposition as when in Government.

Mr. Bevan

How can the right hon. Gentleman say that, in view of the fact that some months ago I myself stated on behalf of the Opposition that I thought there should be a termination of violence and intimidation in the island and a very short time afterwards there was, in fact. a truce? The right hon. Gentleman, instead of taking advantage—

Mr. F. Harris

Who is boasting now?

Mr. Bevan

—I said there was a truce. I did not connect them. In any case, it is of no importance. There was a truce and the right hon. Gentleman, instead of taking advantage of it, boasted in this House that the truce was a result of his own policy, when, in fact, his policy is in ruins around his ears at the present time.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I must once more remind the right hon. Gentleman and the House that it has been the belief, however erroneous, that in the event of a future Labour Government being elected, however unlikely, their policy would not differ from their attitude in Opposition, that has added to our problems in Cyprus.