§ 14. Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for War what arms, ammunition and equipment have been taken by terrorists from Army personnel and establishments since the beginning of the emergency in Cyprus.
§ Mr. F. MacleanVery few. I will, with permission, publish the list in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWill the Minister also draw the attention of his right hon. Friend at the Colonial Office to this answer, and try to make him aware of the facts about what is happening in Cyprus? A recent answer from the Colonial Office gave a very different story.
§ Following is the list:
- 4 2-in. mortars,
- 5 rocket launchers.
- 7 Bren guns,
- 5 Sten guns,
- 2 pistols,
- 26 Bren and Sten magazines, and
- 56 rounds of ammunition.
§ 15. Mr. F. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for War how many British troops are at present stationed in Cyprus.
§ Mr. F. MacleanWe do not give details of this kind.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerThis is an extremely important matter, which is of great interest, especially to relatives of boys who are now serving in Cyprus and are doing nothing except being used to shoot up Cypriots. Is it not about time that we were given this information?
§ Mr. MacleanAs I have already indicated, since the war it has not been the practice to disclose the strength of the Army in overseas theatres.
§ 26. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for War why the Gordon Highlanders were sent to Cyprus.
§ Mr. HughesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that since the Gordon Highlanders arrived the emergency seems to have got worse? Is it not the fact that that the more soldiers sent to Cyprus the more the disorders grow, and that as a result of this muddle there is the danger of the Gordon Highlanders becoming Communist?
§ Mr. HeadIf the hon. Gentleman's policy had been applied during the war we would probably all be Communists now—or Fascists.
§ Mr. R. BellIs there any possibility of what my right hon. Friend the Member for Woodford (Sir W. Churchill) called the Black Welsh" being sent there?
§ 27. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for War what capital expenditure for military buildings and installations he has authorised in Cyprus up to 18th November; and his estimate of the total capital expenditure that is now likely to be incurred.
§ Mr. HeadThe capital expenditure so far authorised for Army installations is about £12 million. The total capital expenditure likely to be incurred is about £25 million.
§ Mr. HughesHas the right hon. Gentleman not heard that the Chancellor of the Exchequer wants a reduction of capital investment in his Department? Has this circular from the Chancellor of the Exchequer been hidden under the carpet in the War Office like similar documents?
§ Mr. WiggCan the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that his capital expenditure will be completed before the Government change their policy and decide to evacuate Cyprus?