§ 21. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many evictions have taken place in Cyprus recently as part of the emergency measures; and what steps he has taken for rehousing the homeless.
§ Mr. HareOn 16th March ten householders and eighteen shopkeepers in Nicosia were evicted; they were allowed to return on 9th June. On 29th May, seventeen householders and thirty-five shopkeepers in Nicosia were evicted for a period of three months. Other accommodation was available, and no one was rendered homeless.
§ Mr. HughesCan the Minister explain why these evictions are necessary if the people are to return almost immediately? Is any opportunity given to old people, 467 invalids and women with children to get alternative accommodation immediately, or are they left on the streets?
§ Mr. HareAs I said in my reply, nobody was rendered homeless. So far as the decision to evict these people is concerned, it was taken after a series of serious incidents—a series of murders, in the case of the first eviction, culminating in the murder of a United Kingdom police sergeant; and in the second case it followed a planned ambush of British troops, in which a bomb was thrown from the upper storey of a building, causing the death of a British soldier.
§ Mrs. L. JegerCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether there has been any reduction in the number of these regrettable incidents as a result of these evictions?
§ Mr. HareNo, and I do not know whether the hon. Lady can say whether there would not have been more incidents if these measures had not been taken.