§ 33. Mr. Harold Daviesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many municipalities in Cyprus have received loans from the Government in the last 12 months; and in how many cases applications for loans by municipalities have been refused.
§ Mr. HopkinsonThe result of applications to the Cyprus Loans Commission in 1954 was that nine loans totalling 1752 £29,730 were made to seven municipalities: two applications totalling £23,000 were refused and one for £4,450 was deferred. In addition, the Cyprus Government have approved in principle the provision of loan finance to municipalities of approximately £200,000 for slum clearance.
It has, however, been necessary to indicate to the municipalities of those main towns which made direct representations to Government for major loans that the Loans Commission was unlikely to be able to satisfy their applications from its present resources. The question of increasing those resources is under consideration.
§ Mr. DaviesWhilst thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that rather helpful answer, may I ask him what are the factors which are taken into account when an application for loans is made; and for what did the two applications that were refused apply?
§ Mr. HopkinsonThose are detailed matters which are dealt with by the Loans Commission. All I can say to the hon. Member is that there is absolutely no discrimination between one municipality and another.