§ Q6. Mr. Shinwellasked the Prime Minister what decision was reached between himself and the Turkish Prime Minister in the recent conversations on the situation in Cyprus.
§ The Prime MinisterAs the joint communiqué made clear, Monsieur Inonu and I agreed on the urgent necessity for the attainment of a lasting solution to the problems of Cyprus by negotiation and agreement.
§ Mr. ShinwellBut will not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the situation in Cyprus is giving more concern and anxiety now than hitherto? Has he taken notice—no doubt he has—of the references made by both sides to General de Gaulle and President Johnson, both of whom have committed themselves to express concern at the situation in Cyprus? Would not the Prime Minister make the suggestion direct to the Secretary-General of the United Nations that countries that have expressed concern might go a bit further and provide some contingents for the United Nations forces in Cyprus in order to expedite a possible solution of the problem there?
§ The Prime MinisterWe should welcome forces from other countries to help in this matter.
§ Mr. ShinwellBut would not the right hon. Gentleman agree to make some representations, through the Secretary-General, to those who have expressed their concern, in order to ensure that we are supported in Cyprus?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. But it is for the Secretary-General of the United Nations to recruit the United Nations force, not me.
§ Sir J. EdenWould not my right hon. Friend agree that the Turkish element has exercised great restraint under considerable provocation in Cyprus? In those circumstances, was he able to assure the Prime Minister of Turkey that the Turkish case would certainly not be allowed to go by default?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. I think that we have certainly taken every possible step that we can to acquaint the 1545 Secretary-General of the United Nations with the seriousness of the situation, and the importance of not allowing, under cover of the United Nations operations, one community in the island to do damage to the other.
§ Mr. BottomleyIs the Prime Minister aware that it is reported that, as a result of the talks he has had with the Turkish Prime Minister, a suggestion has been made that the Turks in Cyprus should be transferred to another Greek island—
§ Mr. Bottomley—and can the right hon. Gentleman deny this?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not know where this report came from. Further, when the right hon. Gentleman talks about another Greek island, I do not think this is quite an accurate description. What is to happen now, as I understand it, is that the mediator hopes to bring the representatives from Turkey and the representatives from Greece together in Geneva, and we shall not arrive at a solution of this problem unless Greece and Turkey agree on it, and that we must try to achieve.
§ Mr. GrimondThe Prime Minister, in his last answer but one, said that it was important not to allow the situation to be changed to the detriment of one part of the Cyprus people under cover of the present situation. Has the right hon. Gentleman any information to give to the House about allegations of secret troop movements in Cyprus?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that I have any information to give on that. All I can say is that we have made it clear to the Secretary-General of the United Nations that we think that it is the duty of the United Nations force to prevent one community from taking action that would act to the detriment of the other.
§ Mr. BottomleyIn order to clear the matter up, when I said "another Greek island" I meant to say "Thrace or another Greek island".