§ 13. Mr. SCURRasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that 11 official salaries in Cyprus have nearly doubled since the War, although the cost of living in the island has only increased by 20 per cent.; and whether, in view of the poverty of the inhabitants, he will take steps to effect economies in the administration?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIt was only in the case of the lowest appointments, some of which had salaries of only £36 per annum, that increases amounting to 100 per cent. were granted. The average increase in the more highly paid officers —mostly non-natives—was only 50 per cent. The cost of living has no doubt declined since 1920, when it was estimated at 150 per cent. to 180 per cent. over pre-War figures, but it is still high. A policy has, however, been adopted of reducing the emoluments of offices as vacancies occur.