§ 34. Mrs. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in negotiations with the Turkish Government for payment of damages to United Kingdom citizens in respect of loss and injury caused by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
§ Mr. LuardAs indicated in my reply of 19th November to the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, West (Mr. Price) individual claims arising from the period of hostilities in Cyprus in July and August 1974 have now been lodged with the Government of Turkey. The Turkish Government have stated that they wish to help resolve the issue and have said they will give serious consideration to these claims in a positive spirit of goodwill.
§ Mrs. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy toward securing the implementation of the United Nations resolution on Cyprus, especially the right of refugees of all communities to return to their own homes.
§ Dr. OwenHer Majesty's Government abstained from voting on the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 31/12 of 12th November 1976 about Cyprus. We continue to believe, however, that the intercommunal talks, held under the auspices of Dr. Waldheim, offer the best means of achieving a peaceful and negotiated settlement to the Cyprus 219W problem including the problem of refugees Her Majesty's Government, in conjunction with their EEC partners, and the United States, will continue to work hard for an early resumption of the talks and in particular will urge the parties concerned to adopt more flexible negotiating attitudes.