HC Deb 03 July 1958 vol 590 cc1569-70
28. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what efforts have been made by the Government to foster co-operative enterprise in Cyprus, particularly in the wine industry.

Mr. Profumo

The Cyprus Government have helped with money and with guidance through the Department of Co-operative Development, which was set up especially for this purpose. Substantial loans have been made to the Vine Products Co-operative Marketing Union for the operation of their winery and distillery. Help has also been provided for improvements to village wineries.

Mr. Swingler

I thank the Under-Secretary for that interesting reply, but is he aware that it certainly appears from the interesting report on the Cyprus wine industry made by a great French expert that there is here an opportunity for the development of co-operative enterprise on a much bigger scale, and will he be good enough to see that attention is given to that matter?

Mr. Profumo

The Cyprus Government are very alive to this possibility.

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