HC Deb 22 March 1977 vol 928 cc1065-6
12. Mr. Townsend

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the conditions for British refugees in Anzio Camp, Cyprus.

Mr. Wellbeloved

There are 285 displaced persons living in Anzio Camp, of whom 183 have British passports. No charges are paid by the occupants of the camp, which consists of huts and which has all main services. Free rations for those in need are provided by the Republican Government. I visited the camp last September and satisfied myself that conditions there compared favourably with other refugee camps in Cyprus.

Mr. Townsend

Is the Minister aware that when I last visited Anzio Camp—and I have it on good authority that things have not changed the unemployment level was high and the monthly food ration was low? Will he take an interest in the plight of these dispirited and forgotten British refugees?

Mr. Wellbeloved

Only 65 persons at the camp are without regular work and some of them are finding part-time employment. Certainly, I give an undertaking that I shall continue, as Minister responsible, to give personal attention to the parts of the situation that fall within the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence.

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