§ 43. Mr. COUPERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the tribute formerly paid by Cyprus out of its revenue towards the payment of interest on the Ottoman Loan continues to be levied; and, if not, to what purpose is the revenue now applied?
§ Mr. AMERYThe Cyprus contribution towards the Ottoman Public Debt charge, amounting to £92,800 a year and formerly known as the "tribute," is still paid. I may add however, that by an arrangement which came into force at the beginning of this year, His Majesty's Government has increased the grant-in-aid to Cyprus from the former figure of £50,000 a year to £92,800 a year, the full amount of the contribution, while the island contributes £10,000 a year towards the cost of Imperial defence. The con- 523 sequent net saving of £32,800 a year to the Cyprus Exchequer is being devoted to improvements in the administration and to general development.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we to understand that the taxpayers of this country pay the whole of that £92,000 interest on the Turkish debt and the interest on these bonds?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs that system to endure for ever, that we are to pay the interest on the Ottoman Loan, which was guaranteed jointly by France and England?