HC Deb 07 July 1960 vol 626 cc677-8
14. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed in the White Paper on Cyprus to furnish details, including maps, of the British military base.

Mr. Iain Macleod

Details of the arrangements concerning the retained sites in the Republic and maps showing the boundaries of the Sovereign Base Areas will be included in the White Paper, which will be available later today.

Mr. Shinwell

Is not this a surprising innovation? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when hon. Members ask for information about bases and military details, they are refused on grounds of security? Is this to be made public? Is Mr. Khrushchev to be informed and does this represent a new climate of opinion in the Government?

Mr. Macleod

No, Sir. The right hon. Gentleman, as an ex-Minister of Defence, knows very well that details of these matters are not revealed. The boundaries of the areas, of course, will be shown, and the retained sites, and there are a considerable number in the republic, will also be shown, but their purpose will not be indicated.

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