§ 43. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies his estimate of the weekly sum now being spent on restoring law and order in Cyprus.
§ Mr. HughesDoes that include the cost of military occupation as well? Is it not time that the Government realised that this is a running sore from the point of view of expenditure and of everything else?
§ Mr. HareThe hon. Gentleman certainly should not think there is any pleasure from the point of view of Her Majesty's Government that this money has to be spent in restoring law and order; but as long as law and order has not been restored this money must be expended.
§ Mr. BevanIs this figure of announced expenditure the total figure, or is it a figure which falls to be spent by the Colonial Office, or does it include all expenses of the Services as well?
§ Mr. HareNo, the figure I have given is the total weekly figure which will fall on the Cyprus Government, less a grant which will be given by Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. BevanCan we have the total cost? Is it the cost falling upon the Cyprus Government and on the Colonial Vote, or is it the cost of that Vote, including the additional cost of the Services themselves?
§ Mr. HareI will try to give the right hon. Gentleman more detailed figures. I was asked what is my estimate of the weekly sum now being spent on restoring law and order in Cyprus.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeSince we may not reach Question No. 50, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether a general statement on Cyprus may be made this week, or next week, in view of the fact that there is a number of anxious Questions put down on that subject?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is not in order now.
§ 44. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what expenditure was incurred in Cyprus from January to May this year; and how it compared with the expenditure from January to May, 1955.
§ Mr. HareExpenditure from the funds of the Cyprus Government was about £5.31 million from January to May last and £3.77 million for the same period of 1955; these figures exclude Service and development expenditure, which are not readily available in respect of the periods concerned.
§ Mr. HughesIs it possible for the Minister to give us an estimate of the total sum which has been spent in Cyprus? Does he think that Cyprus is on the plateau which is talked about by his right hon. Friend?
§ Mr. HareNo, if the hon. Gentleman would like to know the estimated total expenditure in Cyprus in 1956, it is around £16 million. Of that sum, the emergency represents something like 14 per cent., the rest being social services, 23 per cent., development, 33 per cent., administration and so on, 30 per cent.