HC Deb 26 October 1955 vol 545 c172
11. Mr. G. Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many inhabitants of Cyprus have migrated to the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, the United States of America, and Greece, respectively, during the last three years.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Accurate figures are available only for the first eight months of this year. During that period, 2,601 Cypriots emigrated to this country, 728 to other parts of the Commonwealth, 70 to the United States and none to Greece. The best estimates the Cyprus Government can supply for emigration during the preceding two years are 4,950 to the United Kingdom, 892 to other parts of the Commonwealth, 195 to the United States and 10 to Greece.

Mr. Wilson

Does this answer not show that substantial numbers of Cypriots, when leaving their country, show their appreciation of membership of the Commonwealth by going to Commonwealth countries rather than elsewhere?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

In this country we have to listen to a great many harsh words, and it is sometimes rather comforting to find actual feelings expressed in this way.