§ 38. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what reply has been sent to the petitions addressed to 24 Her Majesty's Government from Cyprus trades unions asking that all restrictions placed on the activities of legitimate trade union movement in Cyprus be lifted, all emergency regulations abolished, and justice given to the people of Cyprus in accordance with the principles and declarations of the United Nations.
§ Mr. ProfumoI am not aware that any petitions from trade unions in these terms have been addressed to Her Majesty's Government in recent months. In fact, no restrictions have been imposed on legitimate trade union activity in Cyprus.
§ Mr. BrockwayWill the hon. Member get in touch with the Governor of Cyprus and ask him whether petitions have been presented to him and through him to Her Majesty's Government? Is he aware that those petitions are signed by Turkish as well as Greek workers, that since E.O.K.A. started the truce more persons have been detained than released, that the Governing Body of the I.L.O has drawn the attention of the Government to the necessity for freedom of trade union meetings and trial before detention?
§ Mr. ProfumoAll the complaints to which the hon. Member has referred were examined and dismissed by the Governing Body of the I.L.O. It would be better, if the hon. Member has any specific problem about trade unions in mind, if he would get in touch with me, or put down a Question to which I will do my best to give a proper answer.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsAs we seem to have reached a complete stalemate in Cyprus, could not the International Federation of Free Trade Unions, which has helped the Government in the Colonies, be asked to go to Cyprus to provide a means by which negotiations might be resumed?
§ Mr. ProfumoI do not think that that is necessary. The trade union movement in Cyprus is in no way debarred by Government action from pursuing trade union activities.