§ MR. RYLANDSasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the new personal tax known as "Temuat," which has been levied upon foreigners in Cyprus, has been sanctioned by Her Majesty's Government; and, whether he is aware that several Foreign Consuls in the Island have reported to their respective Governments that the tax is not authorized by the Capitulations, and is therefore illegal?
MR. GRANT DUFFSir, the tax in question is not now; but it has recently been extended to foreigners in accordance with the policy of Her Majesty's Government in Cyprus and elsewhere— a policy which my hon. Friend will, I think, approve—-that, namely, ail fiscal burdens should be equalized as much as possible. I do not know what representations have been made by any Consuls to their own Governments; but one Consul has made some representations to us, and his representations are being looked into. We have no reason to suppose that, when the matter is understood, any objection to paying the tax will be founded on the Capitulations. The taxation of Cyprus, I may add, is engaging the attention of the Government, with a view to getting rid, as far as circumstances will permit, of its many anomalies.