§ 32. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if, in view of the United Nations Resolution urging negotiations for a settlement of the conflict in Cyprus and the favourable response given to it by Cypriot political and trade union organisations, and the declared intention of E.O.K.A. to cease acts of violence when negotiations with the Ethnarchy begin, he will invite Archbishop Makarios to London with the object of reaching agreement regarding the Radcliffe Constitution and the realisation of self-government and self-determination.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWhat I said about Archbishop Makarios in the debate on 19th February is not, in the Government's view, affected by the wording of the United Nations Resolution.
§ Mr. BrockwayDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that a new opportunity of ending this tragedy in Cyprus has now arisen as a result of the United Nations Resolution and the response which has been made to it by political and trade union organisations in Cyprus? Is it not now clear that if negotiations began with Archbishop Makarios violence would immediately end in that island?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI know of no possible authority to justify the hon. Member having used the phrase
…in view of the…declared intention of E.O.K.A. to cease acts of violence when negotiations with the Ethnarchy begin…The hon. Gentleman has put that down in a Parliamentary Question, but I know of no possible justification for it.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsMay I ask the Secretary of State whether, at the present moment, following the United Nations discussion, he would indicate whether he proposes to take any fresh initiative in the near future?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe propose, as hitherto, to retain the initiative.
§ Mr. BrockwayOn a point of order. In view of the right hon. Gentleman's statement that I have put into a Question something for which I have no authority, may I say, Sir, that I shall forward to the right hon. Gentleman the authority on which I based the statement in my Question?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI shall be delighted to receive it.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerDo we understand from the Secretary of State that the Government are going to do nothing in pursuance of the United Nations Resolution?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIt would be quite wrong to assume that.