HC Deb 26 July 1939 vol 350 cc1460-2
59. Mr. Mathers

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the terms of the exclusive licences granted by the Governor of Cyprus to certain private companies to export tobacco and wines to the United Kingdom; and what effect these monopolies have had upon the interests of the Colony?

Mr. M. MacDonald

As the terms of the licences are long I propose to place copies of them in the Library of the House. Broadly, in the case of wines, the system of marketing adopted has led to higher prices being paid to growers for grapes and to an increase in exports of wines and grape juice to the United Kingdom from nil in 1926, the year before the licence was granted, to 650,000 gallons in 1938. In addition, a scientific winery has been built and quality improved up to a standard at which Cyprus wines, hitherto used solely for blending purposes, are being sold to an increasing extent under their own name. In the case of tobacco, the licences have succeeded, by rigorous supervision of quality and by careful marketing, in creating a demand within the very limited United Kingdom market for a type of Turkish cigarettes manufactured from Cyprus leaf.

60. Mr. Mathers

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the people of Cyprus resent the imputation cast on them that signatures to the recent petition were obtained improperly and by misrepresentation, and whether he will receive a small deputation of well-known Cypriots at present in London who desire to explain the position to him and make their protest personally?

Mr. MacDonald

With regard to some of the methods used by those connected with the recent circulation of petitions in Cyprus, I have nothing to add to the statement which I made in answer to questions on 5th July. If those concerned wish to make representations to me on the matter they should do so in the normal manner through the Acting Governor, and I shall readily consider them. In the circumstances, I do not think that a useful purpose would be served by my receiving a deputation in London.

Mr. Mathers

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would be well to receive a deputation from the many Cypriots of different points of view in London now, and is not he aware that it would encourage them to make statements to him so that he might get to know at first hand, apart from the official point of view, the reactions to activities in the Island?

Mr. MacDonald

I am never reluctant to see citizens who come from the Colonies but this question is concerned with certain quite recent events in Cyprus, and I am not certain that Cypriot residents in London would necessarily be those best calculated to make representations on this matter. What I am suggesting is for authoritative representations from those concerned in the Island through the normal channels, and I will readily consider anything they may represent.

Mr. Mathers

The right hon. Gentleman has misunderstood me. I mean those people who are here visiting London and who are always, apart from a very brief period, resident in Cyprus and arc in a position quite definitely to make representations on the matter.

Captain Alan Graham

Is it not the fact that the chief of these Cypriot visitors to London at the moment was one of the originators of the petition, and one who, in the riots of 1931, openly deserted the British Government in a most offensive fashion and should then have been deprived of his British decoration?

Mr. Benn

Will Government officials in Cyprus prohibit the Press from publishing any account of these questions and answers?

61. Mr. Mathers

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the number of signatures obtained to the recent Cyprus petition asking for a measure of self-government and the number which the officials of the Colony state have been obtained by misrepresentation and fraud?

Mr. MacDonald

I have not the information asked for, but would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for the Isle of Ely (Mr. de Rothschild) on 20th July.

Mr. Mathers

As the right hon. Gentleman has taken a decision with regard to this matter and now appears to say he is not informed of the position, on what basis did he take his decision?

Mr. MacDonald

The decision was taken by the authorities in the Island, and I have taken steps to get from the authorities in the Island the information which the hon. Member requires.