§ 44. Mr. de Rothschildasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of children of school age in Cyprus; the number of children actually attending school in the Colony; the average length of attendance at school; and the proportion of children attending school who are receiving instruction in English?
Mr. M. MacDonaldThe estimated number of children of elementary school age in Cyprus is 77,000 and of secondary school age 60,000. Of these 46,926 and 4,784 respectively are at present attending schools. In addition many of those of elementary school age who are not now attending school have attended school in the past, but have been withdrawn by their parents to help in agricultural work. The average length of attendance at school is four years in the elementary 392 schools, and in the secondary schools five years for boys and four years for girls. Ten percent. of the children in elementary schools and the whole of the pupils in secondary schools receive instruction in English.
§ Mr. de RothschildIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the proportion of children receiving instruction in English in view of the fact that Cyprus is now part of the British Empire, and it is imperative that these young children should be brought up as citizens of the Empire?
§ 64 and 65. Mr. de Rothschildasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (I) whether he is aware that on 29th May, the municipal councillors of Famugusta were notified by the provincial commissioner that any participation by them in any movement for the reform of the machinery of government in Cyprus would be regarded as inconsistent with their duties and responsibilities as councillors, and that on receipt of such notification four councillors resigned from office; whether any of these councillors communicated the reasons for their resignation to the Government of Cyprus; and whether he has been made aware of the terms of their communication; and what action he has taken;
(2) whether he can state the grounds upon which, on 25th May, Mr. Tsan-garides was relieved by the Acting Governor of Cyprus of his office as a municipal councillor of Nicosia; and whether he has received from the Acting Governor a copy of the communication sent by Mr. Tsangarides to the Commissioner of Nicosia on receipt of notification of his dismissal?
Mr. MacDonaldI have no information regarding the matters referred to in these questions, but have asked the Acting Governor for a report.
§ Mr. de RothschildIs the reason for which the right hon. Gentleman knows nothing about the matter that he has taken no interest in it, or is it that the Administration in Cyprus thinks he takes no interest in it?
§ Mr. PalingIs it not a fact that the information was asked for some weeks ago at least and that the Minister then gave the same answer? Has he not got any report yet about this business?
Mr. MacDonaldNo, it was not some weeks ago. It was some time ago, and 1 am still awaiting the report.
§ Mr. PalingIn any event, is it not more than one week and probably nearer three weeks?
Mr. MacDonaldI should not like to give an exact answer to that question. I asked for a report as soon as the question was asked. As the hon. Member knows, communication with Cyprus is not as good as it is with some other parts of the world, and it does take time for full reports of these detailed matters to come in, but there is no avoidable delay.
§ Sir P. HarrisCannot the right hon. Gentleman use the air mail? Is not the island connected with the air mail?
§ 71. Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what articles calculated to disturb good relations in Cyprus have been published by Embros and Eleftheria which justified the recent censorship of those papers?
Mr. MacDonaldI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the warning which was given to newspaper editors at the end of May. I would refer him to the answer which I gave to a question which he asked on 12th July.
§ Mr. MathersIn view of the responsibility that rests not only upon the right hon. Gentleman but upon this House to see that proper conditions prevail in Colonies, does the right hon. Gentleman not realise the importance of letting us have, in a proper way, information about what is objected to in these newspapers?
Mr. MacDonaldI have answered questions on this matter very fully, I think, and described to the House how these newspaper articles must be considered in the light of the general situation in Cyprus, and the articles by themselves do not give a proper picture of the situation.
§ Mr. BennIs it still forbidden to publish in Cyprus reports of Parliamentary Debates concerning Cyprus?
§ Mr. de RothschildIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the late Governor of Cyprus, in a public lecture the other night, said the situation in Cyprus had never been dangerous and that except for a few agitators it is perfectly calm, and therefore why has this censorship been imposed?
Mr. MacDonaldI do not think that I can be expected to have knowledge of every lecture or about the details of every individual case which is brought to my attention in this House, and that is one reason why I have to ask for so many reports in order to serve hon. Members of this House properly.
§ 72. Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that many prominent Cypriots who were promoters of the petition to the Government asking for a representative constitution deny that there was any intention or action on the part of the promoters to obtain signatures by misrepresentation and fraud; and whether he will therefore appoint a committee independent of Government officials to inquire into the matter?
Mr. MacDonaldI am glad to know of this assurance from some of the promoters of the petition, but I am satisfied that there were cases of misrepresentation and improper pressure. I would see no purpose in setting up the committee of inquiry which the hon. Member suggests.