ADMIRAL FIELD (Sussex, Eastbourne)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the attention of the Secretary of State for the Colonies has been called to the 1260 Report on Cyprus, issued recently, where it is stated (page 51) by District Commissioner at Limassol that the abolition of the post of Mudir is much to be regretted; that he frequently feels the needs of such assistance, having 112 villages to communicate with; and, further, he considers that officials of this class should reside in the sub-districts of Limassol and Kilani; whether any attention will be paid to this strong expression of opinion by the District Commissioner; and whether his observations on the discontent of the Muktars at their insufficient remuneration, and his previous Report on the subject, will lead to their grievances being redressed as far as possible?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. S. BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, PoplarMr. Michell's complaint that he has not as much assistance as he considers that he ought to have has been noted. But this is a not infrequent complaint on the part of public servants; and it is one upon which the Government must reserve its liberty of action to deal with according to the merits of the case and the means at its disposal. As regards the village Muchtars, of whom there are probably 800 or 900 in the Island, their position and rights had been recently regulated by a law of the Local Legislature, and I cannot say whether anything can be done to meet their alleged grievances; but the Secretary of State will ask the High Commissioner for a Report on the passage in Mr. Michell's Report to which the hon. and gallant Member has called attention.