HC Deb 17 November 1948 vol 458 cc362-4
34. Mr. T. Reid

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the recent disorders between rival Greek trade unions in Cyprus and on the dynamite outrages that occurred.

Mr. Rees-Williams

Yes, Sir. As the statement is rather long I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Stanley

Is the hon. Member satisfied that all measures necessary have been taken in Cyprus to maintain law and order?

Mr. Rees-Williams

That does not arise out of the Question on the Order Paper.

Mr. Stanley

The Question is with regard to acts of violence which have occurred in Cyprus. Surely a question asking whether suitable measures have been taken to prevent similar acts of violence recurring in the future, arises out of the original Question?

Mr. Rees-Williams

The right hon. Gentleman asked my opinion. If he wants my opinion on this matter, perhaps he will put down a Question.

Following is the statement:

There are two groups of Greek trade unions in Cyprus; the "old" trade unions under the leadership of the Pan-Cyprian Labour Federation, which is dominated by the Left-Wing Akel party, and the "new" trade unions, a comparatively recent growth sponsored by Right-Wing parties. Rivalry between the two groups is taking the form of a political struggle between them, which has in recent months assumed an increasingly violent character. Since 1st June there have been 29 incidents in which dynamite has been used and 74 cases of assault, malicious injuries and arson, credibly related to conflicts between rival trade unions. Of the complainants in recorded cases, 120 belong to the Right-Wing and nine to the Left-Wing. Fifty-one prosecutions have resulted in the cases of assault, and most of them are now before the courts. The investigations into dynamite outrages, which have been committed under cover of darkness, have not yet resulted in prosecutions.

I should add that on 11th November the Acting General Secretary of Akel invited foreign Press correspondents to meet him and is reported in some local papers to have admitted the complete identification of Akel with Communism. Confirmation of his actual statements is being sought but has not yet reached my right hon. Friend. The Government of Cyprus are taking strenuous action to end the campaign of violence. In doing so they naturally have the full support of my right hon. Friend.