§ 47. Mrs. L. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations regarding the future of Cyprus.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAt this stage there is nothing I can add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Brockway) on 8th July
§ Mrs. JegerIn view of the tragic deterioration of the position in Cyprus, cannot the right hon. Gentleman give the House some more hopeful information than that? Are Her Majesty's Government content to reap the bitter harvest of Tory policy in Cyprus? Can he bring no word of healing or help to this tragic country?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI think the hon. Lady knows very well that, in the view of Her Majesty's Government and of a vast number of people, the policy that we announced last month provides the one hopeful chance of success.
§ Mr. CallaghanWill the Colonial Secretary make it clear that it is the view of everyone in this country that the only hopeful basis for this island is that Greeks and Turks should stop shooting at each other and at British soldiers? Will not he take up the initiative of Archbishop Makarios, who has himself called for a cessation of violence? [HON. MEMBERS: "When?"] This is too serious a matter for quips. Will not he invite the Turkish and Greek Prime Ministers to take part in a joint appeal so that discussions may proceed on the basis of the plan which the Government have put forward?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI entirely endorse what the hon. Member has said as to the way in which the troubles in Cyprus may be brought to an end and the need 222 for Greeks and Turks to stop attacking each other and to stop attacking British security forces. As to the steps being taken to carry forward the policy announced by my right hon. Friend, I do not think that I can profitably add now to what I have already said.
§ Mr. CallaghanAre the Government in touch with the Greek and Turkish Prime Ministers with a view to carrying discussions on to the next stage?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI do not think that it would be helpful to give any further details now.
§ Mr. J. GriffithsIn view of the fact that the last news from Cyprus was of 14 people killed during this weekend, will not the right hon. Gentleman consult the Prime Minister to see whether the Prime Minister will seek the co-operation of the Turkish and Greek Prime Ministers to make an appeal—in which hon. Members on both sides of the House would join—for the people of Cyprus to stop this violence?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI am always glad to take up any suggestion made by the right hon. Gentleman in regard to the possibilities of bringing to an end the evil murders now continuing.