HC Deb 17 June 1958 vol 589 cc867-8
59. Mr. Donnelly

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Greek Cypriots and how many Tukish Cypriots are serving in the police mobile reserve and in the auxiliary police, respectively.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

There are 536 Turkish Cypriots in the mobile reserve and no Greeks, and 1,281 Turkish Cypriots and 56 Greek Cypriots in the auxiliary police.

Mr. Donnelly

What steps is the right hon. Gentleman taking to make the administration of Cyprus less dependent upon the British policemen in the various reserves?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

E.O.K.A. terrorism is entirely responsible for the failure of the Greeks to join these two forces and the consequent fact that these forces are now so largely Turkish.

Mr. Callaghan

Whoever was responsible for it, that was not the question. Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question, which is whether in present circumstances, which are now somewhat different, he or the Governor will, so far as possible, cease to rely upon the services of an almost exclusively Turkish force?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I have answered the Question on the Order Paper, and any supplementary questions will fall more in place when we have a general discussion on Cyprus.

Mr. Paget

Have the Turkish police in fact shown any reluctance in dealing with Turkish rioters?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

No. They have behaved extremely well under very great difficulties, and I think that much praise is due to them.

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