§ 41. Mr. Prittasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make on the circumstances in which the Cyprus police fired upon unarmed strikers at the works of the Cyprus Mines Corporation on 3rd March, wounding six of them.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsI understand that the events of 3rd March were as follow: At 10.30 a.m., when 12 prospective employees of the Cyprus Mines Corporation were attending the clinic at Mavizovouni mine for a medical examination, a crowd of about 1,000 persons, understood to be strikers, assembled outside the clinic equipped with sticks and stones. One police sergeant and five constables, all unarmed, warned the crowd to disperse but they refused. Two police inspectors and additional men were sent for and the final reinforcement brought two rifles. The inspectors again ordered the crowd to disperse, without effect. When the 12 propective employees left the clinic the crowd assaulted them and the police with stones. An inspector gave a further warning, telling the crowd that unless they dispersed he would open fire. The crowd succeeded in knocking down the unarmed police sergeant and were kicking and beating him. Upon this, fire was opened and 15 rounds were fired, not into the main body of rioters, but mainly directed against those who were attacking the sergeant, who was later admitted to hospital with a broken arm and head injuries. Four members of the crowd were wounded 1232 by the police, three being minor casualties and only one serious, and two of the prospective employees of the Cyprus Mines Corporation were injured by the crowd. My information goes to show that the police behaved with restraint in a difficult situation. I understand that the leading rioters are being prosecuted. Pending those proceedings, I do not think it would be desirable for me to comment further on the incident.
§ 42. Mr. Prittasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a strike has been in progress at the works of the foreign-owned Cyprus Mines Corporation for nearly eight weeks to enforce a demand for, inter alia, trade union recognition; that this Corporation is the only industrial concern in Cyprus refusing such recognition; and whether he will consult with the Governor to see if by revocation of licence or other means the Corporation can be brought to recognise the union.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsI am informed that it is not correct that the demands of the strikers at the Cyprus Mines Corporation include a demand for trade union recognition. Both Greek and Turkish unions are recognised by the Corporation; and the strike resulted from a breakdown of negotiations between the Corporation and the unions on the terms of renewal of the agreement which has subsisted between them for the last two years and expired on 31st December, 1947. The last part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.