HC Deb 17 June 1959 vol 607 cc420-1
15 and 16. Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what discussions or communications he has had with foreign Governments concerning the publication of the report on Greek allegations against British troops in Cyprus prepared by the European Commission for Human Rights of the Council of Europe; and

(2) what consideration has been given by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to the report on Greek allegations against British troops in Cyprus, prepared by the European Commission for Human Rights; and when the report will be published.

22. Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he received the report of the European Commission for Human Rights on the alleged atrocities by British troops in Cyprus; what consideration has been given, and decisions reached, on the report; and when he expects it to be made public.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Robert Allan)

As I said in reply to the hon. Member for Goole (Mr. G. Jeger) on 10th June, no report on this subject has been produced by the European Human Rights Commission.

Mr. Langford-Holt

My hon. Friend will be aware that my Questions go very much wider than that of the hon. Member for Goole (Mr. G. Jeger). My hon. Friend said that no report has yet been produced. Can he confirm that a report is in course of production and that when that report is produced, either by agreement with any foreign Government or otherwise, we shall not be denied the opportunity of seeing it?

Mr. Allan

The Commission is at the moment looking at the application made by the Greek Government. If it produces a report it will be considered by the Committee of Ministers. I cannot commit the Committee of Ministers to what it will decide to do when it has seen the report.