§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps are being taken by Her Majesty's Government to ensure that the work of the Turkish Cypriot Claims Commission, where it involves compensating British nationals for loss of property during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, is speeded up.
§ Mr. WhitneyWe do not recognise the "Turkish Federated State of Cyprus" and therefore have no formal relations with its authorities. The British high commission in Nicosia, nevertheless, has such informal dealings as are necessary with those authorities to try to protect the interests of British nationals, and is continuing to press for outstanding compensation claims to be dealt with expeditiously.
§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress is being made by the Turkish Cypriot Claims Commission in compensating British nationals for loss of property during the Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus in 1975; and when he anticipates the work of the commission will be completed.
§ Mr. WhitneyOf 1,000 claims registered by private British nationals, the Turkish Cypriot Claims Commission has so far recommended ex-gratia awards on 398. Some 225 awards to a value of £661,935 have been paid. We hope that the remainder, excluding those by British nationals with Greek-Cypriot connections, which are not currently being considered by the claims commission, will be settled by the end of this year. Our understanding is that the claims commission will then deal with commercial claims.