HC Deb 27 March 1957 vol 567 c1148
Mr. Callaghan

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. May I draw your attention to the fact that my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) and my hon. Friend the Member for Pembroke (Mr. Donnelly) both have Questions on the Order Paper about the answer which has been received by the Secretary of State for the Colonies by Archbishop Makarios? In view of the very great public concern that there is about this, and as I imagine that the Colonial Secretary has not asked you for permission to make a statement, may I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as he is in charge of the Government Front Bench, when we are likely to have a statement from the Government on this matter?

Mr. Speaker

That is quite out of order now.

Mr. Callaghan

Further to that, Mr. Speaker. May I submit to you that as we are in a very delicate stage in Cyprus at the moment, where we are waiting for the decision of the Archbishop, upon which may hang whether there is a resumption of violence or not, it would be very helpful indeed if we could hear from the Government when we are to get a statement on this matter.

Mr. Speaker

That might be very true, but it is not a matter with which I can deal. No notice has been given of this, and we have not reached it.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Would it be in order, Sir, to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as representing the Leader of the House, whether the Government propose to make a statement on Cyprus in the course of this week?

Mr. Speaker

It is not really in order at this time. The business Question will come tomorrow. We can deal with all these things then. However important things are, the House must follow its own procedure.