HC Deb 19 February 1959 vol 600 cc540-1
46. Mr. Patrick Maitland

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement about Cyprus.

48. Brigadier Clarke

asked the Prime Minister why it has been decided to negotiate with Archbishop Makarios, whereas in the past it has been clearly stated that no negotiations with him would be opened until he denounced violence.

Mr. R. A. Butler

I have been asked to reply.

My right hon. Friend hopes to intervene in the debate this evening and to deal then with the position on Cyprus.

Mr. Maitland

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask, Mr. Speaker, whether I shall have an opportunity of a supplementary question this evening?

Mr. Butler

The answer rather depends on you, Mr. Speaker.

Brigadier Clarke

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many people in this country regard Archbishop Makarios as a murderer and wonder why British Ministers negotiate with him? Does my right hon. Friend realise that Archbishop Makarios is a British subject, who should be taken back to Cyprus, tried and, if found guilty, shot?

Mr. Butler

These are questions of opinion, but I think that my hon. and gallant Friend, in his supplementary question, should refer back to the statements made by my right hon. Friend the Colonial Secretary on 28th March, 1957, and by the Prime Minister on 19th June, 1958, in which he will see exact statements made in relation to the future and position of the Archbishop.

Mr. Gaitskell

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Prime Minister is likely to be able to make this statement?

Mr. Butler

I left it open because I thought that if it were possible to make a statement early in the debate the Prime Minister would come in at some hour about 7 p.m., but if we are not ready to do so, as the conference is now proceeding, it would be later. What my right hon. Friend wishes to do is to intervene on the subject during the debate and give the House the latest information.