HC Deb 11 February 1964 vol 689 cc214-6
Q5. Mr. Driberg

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the situation in Cyprus, on the continued use there of British troops and the possibility of the use of a United Nations peace-keeping force to relieve them, and on the outcome of the London discussions on Cyprus.

Q6. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now make a statement on the proposed international force to be stationed in Cyprus; and to what extent it will be given United Nations status.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I have been asked to reply. Negotiations and discussions on this matter are still in progress. A statement will be made to the House at the earliest opportunity.

Mr. Driberg

But will that be very early? Is it not a fact that the situation is changing daily and may be getting worse? Has Mr. Khrushchev given any indication that the Russian veto would be used if Commonwealth forces, or forces from neutral nations, were under the authority of the Security Council in Cyprus?

Mr. Lloyd

I think that I would be wiser to confine myself to the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question and to say that my right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary has said that he will make a statement to the House later this week.

Mr. Henderson

In view of the reported intention of the United States Government to evacuate all American dependants by Thursday in view of the deterioration in the security situation, can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether Her Majesty's Government are satisfied as to the safety of all British dependants on the island?

Mr. Lloyd

As I have said, negotiations and discussions are taking place and I would be wiser—and I have had some experience of these matters—not to say more today.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Must not an international force command the confidence not merely of the Cyprus Government, but of Turkish Cypriots and Turkey, who are painfully aware that so far the United Nations has shown itself more concerned with "one man, one vote" than with the rights of minorities?

Mr. Lloyd

Those are not matters which are suitable for me today. My right hon. Friend has said that he will make a statement to the House later this week and I think that we had better wait for that.

Mr. Bottomley

My right hon. and learned Friend made inquiries about the safety of British citizens in Cyprus. Can anything be said about that, particularly bearing in mind that the Americans are withdrawing their citizens from the island?

Mr. Lloyd

This is a matter very much in the minds of my right hon. Friend and other members of the Government, but I still think that it would be wise if I did not say anything about that today.

Mr. Driberg

Pending the statement by the Commonwealth Secretary, cannot the right hon. and learned Gentleman at least answer factually the second part of my supplementary question? Has there been any hint or threat from Mr. Khrushchev that the Russian veto would be used if Commonwealth forces were put in under the authority of the United Nations?

Mr. Lloyd

Many questions could be asked and answered, but in the circumstances it is much better that I should say no more today and that we should wait for my right hon. Friend's statement.