§ Mr. FREEMANasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give the House information regarding the present situation in Cyprus; whether he is aware that a number of arrests of unemployed workers have recently been made by the police at Nicosia and Limassol; how many unemployed workers have been arrested; the reason for their arrest or the offence for which they are charged; and the present strength of the Cyprus police and what percentage of its members is British?
§ Dr. SHIELSWith regard to the first part of the question, the present situation in Cyprus calls for no special statement. As regards the second part, the 1799W Governor has not reported any such incidents as are mentioned in the question. If anything serious had occurred I have no doubt that it would have been reported to the Secretary of State. With regard to the last part, the strength of the Cyprus police force on 31st December last was 769; so far as I am aware, all its members are British subjects, and, with the exception of some four or five officers, are all locally recruited.