§ 17. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the incidents that followed the murder of Mrs. Cutliffe in Famagusta, indicating the extent of personal injury and damage to property suffered by the civilian population; and to what extent deaths of civilians were attributable to actions of British troops or security forces.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAs the Answer is necessarily rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. RobinsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that we all share the horror which has been expressed at the murder of Mrs. Cutliffe, but that some of us felt an equal horror and sense of shame when we read a report of the incidents which followed this murder? Can we be assured that the strict military discipline which we can properly expect 746 of British troops will be maintained in the future, even in the face of strong provocation?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI think that the conduct of British troops over the years has been such that the whole House can be proud. I find it difficult to think that the phrase "equal horror" could properly be applied to our reactions to cruel murders and, on the other hand, to our reactions to the natural indignation and disgust of the Security Forces in Cyprus at the form which some of these recent murders have taken. Although I will not anticipate my long Answer—and this is so important a matter that the Answer is iong—I hope that none of us will forget that if there were to be any hope of arresting the assailants on that day, speedy and very rigorous action was necessary.
§ Mr. CallaghanI am very willing to wait to read the statement, but may I ask two questions? First, is it based upon the inquiry which was instigated by the military authorities after the report that these incidents had taken place? If that is so, it will be tantamount to giving us a view of the report which was made to the military authorities. Secondly, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, whatever the feelings of hon. Members on either side of the House, I trust that there is no one in the House who will defend any breakdown in discipline among the Services of this country which could lead to the death of innocent people in the course of fulfilling military duties? If it were thought that this House were giving way to that sentiment, it would be a very bad thing for all of us.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI think the hon. Member will agree that there has been no breakdown of discipline. Under what, I think, must be almost unexampled provocation, our troops and Security Forces have behaved with exemplary patience and restraint. As to the form of my Answer, it is based on the information available to me. I do not intend to publish every report that the Governor may receive, and hon. Members must not expect me to do so. I am sure that if they were in my position they would do the same, The Answer is a very full Answer to the Question which I have been asked.
§ Following is the Answer:
§ On the afternoon of 3rd October gunmen attacked two English women leaving a shop in Varosha, killed one and wounded the other. The daughter of the murdered woman was able to give a description of the attackers.
§ Standing Orders exist that whenever a murder takes place sirens are blown which inform the security forces that an immediate curfew is to be imposed in the particular area. This makes it possible to arrest all likely assailants for screening. If there were to be any hope of arresting the assailants in this instance quick and inevitably drastic action was essential. Orders were given to round up all youths, and road blocks were established, as well as cordons to prevent people leaving the town. About a thousand were arrested and taken to holding centres, from where they were released later that night after questioning. Many tried to escape and to resist arrest. In the course of this operation two Greek Cypriots died and a number were injured. Twenty-one were detained in hospital. All but one have now been discharged. The inquests on the two men who died are due to take place on 13th November. Damage was also done to a few motor vehicles and to some shops.
§ I regret that injuries and damage resulted from this operation, but I am satisfied that in view of the speed with which it had to take place, the large numbers who had to be arrested in so short a time and the fact that many sought to resist or escape arrest, some use of force was inevitable
§ The Governor and military commanders have repeatedly given the most explicit orders against any form of ill-treatment of the civilian population, but after this particularly horrible crime the Security Forces in Famagusta itself were disgusted and angered. This was hardly surprising and was, indeed, anticipated by the local military commander, who immediately gave orders against any form of retaliation. The Governor and Director of Operations, who both went to Famagusta after the attack on the women, at once confirmed these orders. As hon. Members will know, reports of ill-treatment on this and other occasions have been deliberately and systematically fabricated or exaggerated, and I repeat that the record of all Security Forces over the years of terrorism has been one of strict discipline and admirable restraint.
§ 29. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the weapon that killed Mrs. Cutliffe in Cyprus has been identified; and to what extent tests have shown that this weapon has been used in other murders.
§ Mr. ProfumoInvestigations into the murder are still being made, and it would not be appropriate for me to give details at present, particularly as the inquest has not yet been held.