HC Deb 23 July 1959 vol 609 c1499
24. Mr. F. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when negotiations regarding the proposed sovereign British bases in Cyprus will be completed; what will be the national status of Cypriots living within the British sovereign areas; how many Cypriots will be affected; and where the frontiers between British and Cypriot sovereign areas will be drawn.

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Alan Lennox-Boyd)

The discussions of the London Joint Committee are confidential, and I am sure that the hon. Member would not expect me to give information on these matters until the parties consider that it is appropriate to do so. I am not in a position to say when the discussions will be completed.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Is it not important that the British Government's point of view should be known and understood?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The machinery was set up by agreement between all the signatories to the London Agreement, and that machinery is now being properly used.

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