HL Deb 24 January 1957 vol 201 cc104-6

3.15 p.m.

LORD WINSTER

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the next step they propose to take regarding Lord Radcliffe's proposed Constitution for Cyprus.)

THE EARL OF PERTH

My Lords, as noble Lords will appreciate, after the announcement of such an important thing as Lord Radcliffe's proposed Constitution for Cyprus the necessary next step is to obtain the reactions and comments of those directly interested in it. To this end the Cyprus Government have brought the proposals before the people of Cyprus; and as noble Lords are aware, they were also brought to the attention of the Greek and Turkish Governments. It is too early yet to assess the measure of agreement that may be met. The immediate reaction of the Greek Government was unfavourable, but the Turkish Prime Minister has said that the constitutional proposals, taken with my right honourable friend's accompanying statement, form a reasonable basis for discussion that might lead to a final solution of the Cyprus problem; and he is sending an expert to London for discussion of details. In the meantime, a start is being made with the drafting of constitutional instruments, based on Lord Radcliffe's proposals, and other preparatory work is in hand, both here and in Cyprus.

The noble Lord can be assured that the Government will lose no opportunity of offering any necessary explanations of the nature of the proposals, and of the reasons why the Government regard them as embodying a form of Constitution best adapted to the requirements of Cyprus. Our proposals have been generally well received by world opinion.

LORD WINSTER

My Lords, in thanking the noble Earl for his full and informative reply, may I add my congratulations to those which he has already received. Whilst I agree that criticism and comment on the Constitution should riot be made while it is, so to speak, sub judice, may I ask the noble Earl whether he does not think that in this matter there is rather an appearance of letting it drift along. The reactions of the Greek and Turkish Governments having been received, and observing that affairs in Cyprus are getting worse rather than better, what steps do Her Majesty's Government propose to take to bring this matter to a head? May I ask the noble Earl whether Her Majesty's Government have any kind of programme in mind? For instance, after the debate at the United Nations, do Her Majesty's Gov- ernment propose to issue invitations to negotiations; and if so, to whom?

THE EARL OF PERTH

My Lords, first of all, I do not think it is true that the situation in Cyprus is getting worse—but that is just an aside. On the question, "What next?", as I have said, we are still waiting to get the final comments of the Turkish Government. On the point whether one wants to have representatives for a special conference, I feel that it is too early to consider the need for that.

LORD WENSTER

My Lords, may I ask one final question? Is there any propect of discussing this matter with any representatives of the Greek Cypriots? Has anybody yet come forward with whom it is possible to discuss this Constitution?

THE EARL OF PERTH

There is some discussion going on in Cyprus, in the sense of newspaper comment and so forth, but that is about the extent of it at this time.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether he does not agree that it is the opinion of Archbishop Makarios alone that will still carry weight in Cyprus, and whether Archbishop Makarios has expressed a willingness to make any comment on the Constitution which Her Majesty's Government, very rightly, have taken so much trouble to explain to him?

THE EARL OF PERTH

My Lords, as your Lordships will know, great trouble was taken to explain the proposed Constitution to Archbishop Makarios. The Archbishop replied that, while he understood the report of the noble and learned Lord, Lord Radcliffe, he was not disposed, under present conditions, to discuss any question relative to the future of Cyprus. That is how the matter stands at the present time.

LORD WINSTER

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether there is any prospect of any responsible persons in Cyprus coming forward to negotiate or discuss while the Archbishop insists on remaining aloof?

THE EARL OF PERTH

My Lords, one hopes so, but that remains to be seen.