§ 97. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proposals for the future Constitution of Cyprus were put forward by Archbishop Makarios in the recent discussions with the Governor.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe discussions with the Governor were informal and confidential, but the Archbishop summarised his proposals as follows in a statement to the Press:
In reply the Governor explained to the Archbishop Her Majesty's Government's policy as put forward in the proposals tabled at the Tripartite Conference on 6th September. The Governor also told the Archbishop that he would always be ready to meet him again at any time.
- "(1) Recognition by the British Government of the right of the Cyprus people to self-determination constitutes the indispensable basis for the solution of the Cyprus question.
42 - (2) After this official recognition, the Archbishop would be willing to co-operate with the British Government in framing a constitution of self-government and putting it into immediate operation.
- (3) The time of the application of the principle of self-determination should constitute a subject for discussion between the British Government and the representatives of the Cyprus people, who will be elected on the basis of the constitution."
§ 98. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how soon it is proposed to put forward new proposals for constitutional changes in Cyprus.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydA general indication of the constitutional proposals of Her Majesty's Government was given at the Tripartite Conference on 6th September and published in the White Paper Cmd. 9594. More detailed proposals will be put forward as soon as there is evidence that the leaders of opinion in Cyprus are willing to co-operate in the development of self-government. Meanwhile, the problems involved in framing a constitution are under active study in the Colonial Office in consultation with the Government of Cyprus and I have asked Professor K. G. Wheare of Oxford to assist with his advice.