§ 45. Mr. Brockwayasked the Prime Minister what replies he has received from the Greek and Turkish Governments to his suggestion that he should meet their representatives to discuss Her Majesty's Government's proposals for Cyprus; and if this invitation has been extended to representatives of the people of Cyprus.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)I have placed in the Library copies of my messages to the Greek and Turkish Prime Ministers and of their replies, which have already been published. I am in further communication with each of the Prime Ministers as to how discussions with each of them might proceed. The plan itself provides for the participation of Cypriot representatives in its discussion.
§ Mr. BrockwayIn view of the worsening of the situation in Cyprus and the fact that the final solution must be one acceptable to the Cypriot people of both races, 197 will the right hon. Gentleman speed negotiations with their representatives for a settlement?
§ The Prime MinisterAs the hon. Gentleman knows, I am as anxious as anybody in the House that we should try to make a success of this. On the whole, I think that the procedure which we are working is the right one, at any rate for the moment. I am in touch with the Prime Ministers of the two nations concerned and the Governor is in touch with local representatives. If we stay on that, at any rate for the present, we will meet with the best chance of progress.
§ Mr. CallaghanWhile not disagreeing with the Prime Minister's approach, may I ask him to consider the danger that may arise to the success of his approach if there are outbreaks of violence in the island? In this connection, does the right hon. Gentleman feel it necessary to issue orders to our troops to go out getting small boys to erase slogans, with consequent trouble if they refuse to do so? While we all recognise the difficulties under which our troops are operating, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman to consider whether or not those orders might be revised?
§ The Prime MinisterI will consider the point raised, of course, but I add that I and, I think, the House have the greatest possible confidence in the Governor. I am sure that he is doing everything possible to try to create a situation in which serious discussion of the future can take place and I am sure that he will take this and other considerations into account in his decisions.
§ Mr. GaitskellWill the Prime Minister confirm—it would be helpful if he were to do so—that it is the desire of Her Majesty's Government that British personnel in Cyprus should behave with complete impartiality as between Turkish and Greek Cypriots?
§ The Prime MinisterI am slightly surprised that that question has been put. I think that the whole country has complete confidence in the Governor, in the civil servants and in the military to carry out this essential duty.
§ Mr. GaitskellIt very frequently happens that when from this side of the House we make suggestions which we 198 intend, at any rate, to be helpful, the Prime Minister appears to misunderstand them. Is it not perfectly well known that there are a number of accusations of lack of impartiality going around? It has been reported in the Press very freely. What I was anxious to do was to give the Prime Minister an opportunity to deny that and to make it perfectly plain that the Governor and all British Government personnel were impartial as between Turks and Greeks.
§ The Prime MinisterI take a further opportunity of saying that I do not believe that anybody in the House or in the country thinks that the Governor, the civil servants or troops are anything but completely impartial.