§ 4. Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will visit Cyprus with a view to discussing with the President of the Republic and the leader of the Turkish Cypriot Community progress towards a settlement.
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Sir Ian Gilmour)I have no present plans to do so. The high commission at Nicosia is in regular contact with both parties.
§ Mr. PriceIs the Lord Privy Seal aware that the period between the Turkish Cypriot elections this Sunday and the Greek elections which have now been brought forward to the end of September will provide a unique opportunity for Britain, the United States and Canada, the EEC and other interested countries to apply real pressure to achieve a settlement within that period? Is he further aware that only when the Government of Turkey authorise the Turkish Cypriot community to put forward realistic territorial proposals shall we get anywhere near that settlement, so will he also apply pressure in that direction?
§ Sir Ian GilmourI agree with the hon. Gentleman that, after the Turkish Cypriot elections there will be a period in which the possibilities of reaching a settlement will be good, or at least better than they have been in the past. I also agree that it will need great effort by all parties to reach an agreement. I am not sure that "pressure" is a right or helpful word in this case, and I am not sure, with respect, that the hon. Gentleman is right to point the finger at the Turkish Government. I believe that the Turkish Government are likely to be helpful in this matter.
§ Mr. Jim SpicerDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the period in which we have the Presidency of the Council would be an ideal opportunity for the Community to take a much higher profile in these matters, particularly in view of the association of Cyprus with the Community?
§ Sir Ian GilmourI appreciate my hon. Friend's point. He will be aware, however, that intercommunal talks have been taking place under United Nations auspices. I believe that those talks have shown some promise already and that we should stick to that approach.
§ Mr. DubsDoes the Lord Privy Seal accept that Britain, as one of the guarantor powers in Cyprus, has a greater responsibility than other countries to take initiatives that will lead to a settlement?
§ Sir Ian GilmourI should be most willing to take initiatives if I thought that that would help. As I said to my hon. Friend the Member for Worcestershire, South (Mr. Spicer), however, I believe that the best hope for a settlement lies with the present United Nations intercommunal talks.