§ MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON (Shropshire, Oswestry)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of Stale for the Colonies whether the Government will consider the expediency of developing the natural resources of Cyprus and strengthening our position in the Mediterranean by devoting that portion of the revenues of the Island, which are now remitted to England, to the construction of a commercial and naval harbour at Famagusta?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. S. BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, PoplarThe proposal embodied in the hon. Member's question would involve a large addition to the charge on the Civil Service Estimates in respect of Cyprus, and Her Majesty's Government, agreeing with the declarations of their predecessors on the subject, do not intend to invite the House of Commons to assume such an additional obligation.
MR. STANLEY LE1GIITONMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman can tell the amount of the accumulations from what is called the Turkish Tribute now in hand?
§ MR. S. BUXTONThat is a question for the Treasury.
§ MR. STANLEY LEIGHTONIs any money being spent on behalf of Cyprus at the present time?
§ MR. STANLEY LEIGHTONThere is an annual sum for public works, part of which is laid out on the harbour, I believe.