HC Deb 10 February 1960 vol 617 cc436-7
8. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Minister of Defence how many square miles of Cyprus will be retained for use by British and allied forces; and approximately what proportion of this land will be under the control of the Royal Air Force.

Mr. Watkinson

There is nothing that I can usefully add, I think, to the statement I made last night.

Mr. de Freitas

Since these areas are not to be regarded as colonies, can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that they are, in fact, to be under military administration?

Mr. Watkinson

I shall be very glad to answer that. Arrangements have been made for the administration of both the sovereign base areas to be taken over by the Royal Air Force. The machinery is worked out. They will, therefore, be under strictly military control.

15. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Minister of Defence what further capital expenditure he proposes to incur in Cyprus in addition to the sum of £90 millions already incurred.

Mr. Watkinson

Present plans envisage the expenditure of a further £25 million on capital works projects.

Mr. Hughes

Is that £25 million in addition to the £90 million? The Minister yesterday spoke about the rebuilding of the village of Akrotiri. Can he tell us what estimate he has made in the new plans for Cyprus of the cost of rebuilding this village? Is he exercising as scrupulous care over this expenditure as he did, when Minister of Transport, over the expenditure in connection with the Prestwick Airport?

Mr. Watkinson

The hon. Member mentioned Prestwick last night—

Mr. Hughes

But the right hon. Gentleman did not answer.

Mr. Watkinson

I shall be happy to answer the hon. Gentleman now by saying that my best recollection is that the nation the hon. Member so happily represents extracted a very large sum of money from the Government for the Prestwick Airport. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] As to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, the £25 million is in addition to the £90 million mentioned in the Question. As to the village of Akrotiri, this is not a matter which the Cyprus Republic has asked should be dealt with, so I cannot give any estimate.