HC Deb 15 June 1976 vol 913 cc296-7
14. Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when he next intends to visit the sovereign base areas of Cyprus.

Mr. Wellbeloved

My right hon. Friend has no plans to visit Cyprus.

Mr. Price

Is my hon. Friend aware that in the sovereign base areas the Ministry of Defence is in the position of being in charge of both civil and military affairs? Will he confirm that it is no part of British policy to try to expel, in advance of a settlement, the refugees who are at present in the sovereign base areas?

Will my hon. Friend have another look at the civil rights of those British citizens who are living in the sovereign base areas, since we are constantly told that these areas are just the same as any other part of British soil?

Mr. Wellbeloved

I recognise my hon. Friend's keen interest in the subject, but the questions that he has posed would be more appropriately addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs than to me.