§ 22. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the communal disturbances at Omorphita on 3rd July.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydOn the afternoon of 3rd July there was a clash between members of the two communities in Omorphita, which stopped when the police intervened. A curfew was imposed that evening and has been in force on subsequent occasions. Fourteen Greek Cypriot families have left the area since 3rd July, but there is no known case of a family being physically evicted. Turkish Cypriots who were prepared to occupy houses evacuated by the Greeks were prevented from doing so by the security forces and Turkish flags placed on a few abandoned houses were removed.
§ Mr. RobinsonDo not all the reports suggest that this incident was more serious than the right hon. Gentleman's statement makes out? Can he say why there were no arrests made as a result of these disturbances, which were on quite a wide scale? Is he aware, despite the Prime Minister's indignation the other day, that all the evidence continues to show that security forces in Cyprus are treating the Turkish Cypriots with special tenderness?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI hope that the hon. Gentleman, whose interest in this matter I recognise, will nail that abominable lie whenever he hears it.