HC Deb 19 July 1960 vol 627 cc441-2

Motion made, and Question proposed, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.

Mr. Stonehouse

I assume that in the case of any action in the courts involving a citizen of the sovereign base areas an appeal to the Privy Council would be allowed. May I ask what will be the position in the case of a dispute between sitizens of the sovereign base areas and the Republic of Cyprus? What will be the procedure regarding appeal?

Mr. J. Amery

I understand that in respect of cases in the sovereign base areas which are tried in the base areas courts there would be an appeal to the Privy Council. As the hon. Member will have seen from the Declaration on Administration, we are attempting to work out provisions under which recourse may be had in certain circumstances to the courts of the Republic for issues, whether civil or criminal, raised in the sovereign base areas. Where recourse was had to the courts of the Republic presumably there would not be an appeal to the Privy Council, but where recourse was had to the courts of the sovereign base areas there would be an appeal to the Privy Council.

Mr. Stonehouse

Will the Under-Secretary deal with the point regarding the cases being pursued at present? Will an appeal be allowed in those cases where a citizen of the sovereign base areas or property from the areas is involved?

Mr. Amery

The position is that where there are appeals from the courts in the sovereign base areas, no matter what the parties are, there will be appeals to the Privy Council. Where the proceedings are in a Republic court there would not be.

Mr. Stonehouse

Where a case in a Republic court involves citizens or property from the sovereign base areas will it be subject to appeal?

Mr. Amery

Not, I think, if the case is heard in a Republic court. If the case is heard in a sovereign base area court there will be an appeal to the Privy Council.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.