HC Deb 06 April 1937 vol 322 cc33-4
66. Mr. Pritt

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make arrangements to return to the inhabitants of Cyprus, by way of remission of taxation or otherwise, the sum of £2,557,049, the balance of moneys levied upon the inhabitants in the past to provide money to pay the annual tribute of the Imperial Government to the Government of Turkey under the Anglo-Turkish Convention of 1878?

Commander Southby

The matter to which the hon. Member refers was carefully considered by His Majesty's Government in 1927, when it was decided to raise, as from 1928, the annual grant-in-aid to the full amount of the annual sum charged since the original cession of the island by Turkey upon the revenues of Cyprus. His Majesty's Government were not however, able to agree to make back payments in respect of the years previous to 1928.

67. Mr. Pritt

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is proposed to be taken by His Majesty's Government or by the Government of Cyprus to carry out the recommendations made by the Financial Commissioner in August, 1934?

Commander Southby

There were more than 100 recommendations made by the Financial Commissioner, and it is clearly impossible for me to state all that has been done to carry them out in reply to a Parliamentary question. If the hon. Member is interested in any particular recommendations and will let me know, I will inform him of the position with regard to them.

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