§ 39. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps the Government have taken since the beginning of the Parliamentary Recess to invite Archbishop Makarios to Cyprus or to London to discuss the Cyprus problems; and with what result.
§ Mr. MaclayNone, Sir.
§ Mr. HughesWould it not be more logical and constitutional for the Government and Lord Radcliffe to hold direct conversations with Archbishop Makarios in London instead of sending Lord Radcliffe on a wild goose chase, on a mission of apology to the United States? Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his negative answer?
§ Mr. MaclayI am afraid that I do not quite follow the hon. and learned Gentleman's question. If he is referring to the visit to the Seychelles of Mr. Tornaritis and Lord Radcliffe's secretary, Mr. Pearson, the fact is that they went there only to be available to explain any points in the Constitution which the Archbishop wished to have exlained to him.
§ Mr. HughesMy Question asks,
… what steps the Government have taken since the beginning of the Parliamentary Recess to invite Archbishop Makarios to Cyprus or to London to discuss the Cyprus problems …
§ Mr. HughesIn my supplementary question I asked whether it would not be more logical and constitutional to invite the Archbishop to London for direct conversations with the Government and Lord Radcliffe instead of sending Lord Radcliffe on a mission of apology to the United States.
§ Mr. MaclayNo, Sir. I really do not think that that would be a rational thing to do.
§ Mr. BaldwinWill my right hon. Friend make it quite clear that there is no intention of negotiating with Archbishop Makarios until he denounces terrorism?
§ Mr. CallaghanSo far from the right hon. Gentleman giving that assurance, is it not becoming clearer every day that the key to the situation is the Archbishop, and that until he is brought into play the situation in Cyprus will continue to drift? Is it not a matter of great concern to the Government that the number of murders is increasing and not decreasing? What initiative are the Government showing in order to get discussions going on the Radcliffe proposals with the only responsible leaders who can negotiate on behalf of the Cypriots?
§ Mr. MaclayThe next Question on the Order Paper raises the topic of possible discussions on the Constitution in the future, and perhaps it would be proper for me to answer that question then.
§ Mr. CallaghanI quite agree, but will the Government reconsider their attitude about keeping Archbishop Makarios in the Seychelles? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] Will they please reconsider that in the interests of peace in the Mediterranean?
§ Mr. MaclayI will only repeat what my right hon. Friend has often made clear, that if violence is denounced or tranquillity restored, a new situation will arise.