§ 27. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now enter into discussions with representatives of the Cypriot people on the future status of the island; and if he will make a further statement.
§ 29. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on developments in, and related to, Cyprus.
§ 36. Mr. P. Williamsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement about the future of Cyprus.
§ 62. Mrs. L. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a further statement on the constitutional future of Cyprus.
§ 68. Mr. Callaghanasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the recent visit of the Governor of Cyprus to London.
§ 71. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will now make a further statement on the future of Cyprus.
§ 74. Mr. Donnellyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a new statement regarding Her Majesty's Government's policy towards Cyprus.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydDuring his recent visit to London, the Governor made a report to Her Majesty's Government and took part in discussions on it at which, to use his own words, there was full agreement all the way between himself and Her Majesty's Government. As I indicated in my reply to Questions on 21st January, I am not yet in a position to make any statement on future policy, but I readily assure the House that I will make one at the first appropriate opportunity.
§ Mr. RobinsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware, first of all, how much those of us on this side and, I hope, on the other side as well, appreciate the way in which the new Governor has transformed the political atmosphere in Cyprus in the matter of a few weeks? Is he also aware how disappointing this reply is? Does he really intend to match Sir Hugh Foot's courage and efficiency with a continuance of the present Government's policy of 1236 inertia and wait until a return of despair brings renewed violence to the island before acting?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWith regard to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary, I entirely agree that we are ail in the debt of the new Governor of Cyprus, who would himself be the first to say how much we also owe to Field Marshal Sir John Harding. In regard to the second part, I do not think it will help the cause we all have at heart if I engage in a minor debate at this stage.
§ Mr. WilliamsWould not my right hon. Friend agree that it has been historically the duty of British colonial rule to try to reconcile the interests of various races in any particular territory; and, in that theme, would he not agree that it might be appropriate to try to impose the Radcliffe Constitution? Has he any proposition or thoughts on the imposition of the Radcliffe Constitution in the near future?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI think the same considerations that I mentioned in answering the second part of the supplementary put by the hon. Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. K. Robinson) really apply to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. CallaghanWhilst we are awaiting the new Government initiative, which we on these benches have pressed for since the release of the Archbishop last April, may I ask the Colonial Secretary if he will convey to the people in Cyprus that it is the view, I hope, of all of us in the House—and certainly on this side—that any recurrence of violence, whether conducted by the Turks or by E.O.K.A., can only set back the future settlement of the island?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydCertainly, Sir. I think that we will all join in what some Greek Cypriots are saying, "Down with masked men."
§ Mr. BrockwayIn view of the high hopes raised by Sir Hugh Foot's courageous and imaginative action since he has been the Governor, and in view of the deteriorating state of the island of Cyprus now, will the right hon. Gentleman take the earliest opportunity to announce Government policy, so that disillusionment may not turn into despair?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI have nothing to add to my Answer.