HC Deb 01 May 1957 vol 569 cc183-4
35. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it was upon his instructions that the Chief Secretary of the Kenya Government informed Archbishop Makarios that he was an unwelcome visitor to the colony.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

No, Sir, no such statement was made to Archbishop Makarios. I understand that the Chief Secretary used similar words in replying to a question in the Legislative Council about a Press conference held by the Archbishop, when he was rebutting suggestions that the activities of the Archbishop were in any way the responsibility of the Kenya Government.

Mr. Robinson

Would the right hon. Gentleman not agree that, to say the least, it is extremely foolish to offer gratuitous insults to a man with whom the British Government will sooner or later be bound to negotiate on the future of Cyprus?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I do not think that any censure of any kind is deserved by the Governor of Kenya. There was very strong feeling in the Colony about the Archbishop being allowed transit through Kenya, and I cannot believe that hon. Members would wish that the Kenya authorities should not take account of those feelings and of the general resentment of the activities of the Archbishop and of some of his statements while in Kenya.

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