§ 116. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what social services, including old-age pensions, are now in force in Cyprus; and what steps the British Government is taking to improve them.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThere is an extensive range of social services in Cyprus, although old-age pensions are not at present paid. For example, the health services include Government hospitals in all principal towns, T.B. sanatoria and other specialised hospitals and clinics,43 maternity and infant welfare centres, dental centres in all principal towns and mobile dental units in rural areas. Free or reduced-cost medical treatment is available to persons of small means. For further details I would refer the hon. and learned Member to Chapter 7 of the Annual Report on Cyprus published by H.M. Stationery Office. I have arranged for a copy to be sent him.
As regards the introduction of a social insurance scheme, including old-age pensions, I would refer the hon. and learned Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Swingler) on 24th November; and as regards the extension of educational services, I would refer him to the reply by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Colonial Affairs last Wednesday to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Haltemprice (Major Wall) about the building of a teachers' training college.
§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies his present plans for increasing and extending the British educational and social services in Cyprus.
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§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe Cyprus Government are planning numerous extensions of the health and other social services already existing, of which I gave the hon. and learned Member information in reply to his oral Question today. I would refer him to my reply to that Question regarding the introduction of a social insurance scheme. On the educational side, it is planned to extend technical education considerably, and shortly to commence the building of a new teachers' training college.