HC Deb 26 November 1991 vol 199 c777
Q4. Mr. Cox (Tooting)

To ask the Prime Minister what plans he has to visit Cyprus.

The Prime Minister

I next plan to visit Cyprus for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in 1993.

Mr. Cox

As Cyprus is a Commonwealth country and we are one of the guarantor powers for that island, how does the Prime Minister justify the ongoing occupation of much of that island by the Turkish army? Against that background and the highly critical comments of the Secretary-General of the United Nations on 8 October about the attitude and behaviour of Mr. Denktash. when will the Government—and the Prime Minister in particular—show some evidence of active involvement in the affairs of Cyprus for the benefit of both communities, Greek and Turkish? When does he intend to do that?

The Prime Minister

I am happy to tell the hon. Gentleman that I have had a number of meetings with President Vassiliou during the year and that I have already met Turkish Ministers, as has my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary. We continue to give support to the United Nations Secretary-General's efforts to promote a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement. The United Nations is soon to resume discussions with both sides. I hope that sufficient progress can be made for the Secretary-General to convene an international meeting soon, as endorsed by a number of Security Council resolutions. We shall continue to do all that we can to resolve the problem.

Mr. Nelson

Will my right hon. Friend confirm today that the Conservative Government are planning to spend more next year on local—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The question is about Cyprus.

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