§ 2. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent he has made the introduction of measures of social improvement in Cyprus conditional upon the acceptance of his constitutional proposals.
§ Mr. HopkinsonNot at all, though, as my right hon. Friend said in reply to the hon. Member on 24th November the Cyprus Government decided to postpone a scheme of social insurance in the hope that the principles involved could be studied by elected representatives of the people.
§ Mr. SwinglerWill the Secretary of State make it clear whether the introduction of a social insurance scheme into Cyprus is being made conditional on the acceptance of the constitutional proposals or not, and, if not, can he tell us whether this scheme is fully prepared, and whether it will be introduced during the next few months, irrespective of what happens about the constitutional proposals?
§ Mr. HopkinsonI do not think that I can add anything to my answer. On the assumption that the new Constitution will be introduced in the course of the next few months, it is our intention to postpone the introduction of this scheme in order to enable the elected representatives of the people to debate it. If, of course, there was any long hold up, this matter would need reconsideration.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWould not my right hon. Friend agree that ever since the Prime Minister, when Chancellor of the Exchequer, abolished the levy which we used to extort from Cyprus there has been a steady social improvement, based on purely humanitarian needs?
§ Mr. HopkinsonYes, Sir, and by a number of other Measures, such as the draft Factories Law, the draft Women's Employment Law, the Trade Dispute Law, and many others which are on the stocks at the moment, and which will go ahead, irrespective of the introduction of the constitution.