Mr. Creech Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention was drawn, some months ago, to the refusal of the Registrar of Trade Unions, Cyprus, to register the Pan-Cyprian Schoolmasters' Association; whether in other Dependencies applications for registration of trade unions have been made to the local registrar and refused on similar grounds; and whether steps can be taken to inform registrars that a more liberal interpretation of the law should be given.
§ Colonel StanleyYes, Sir. But following a judgment of the Supreme Court of Cyprus, the Association has now been registered as a trade union. As regards the second and third parts of the Question, I have not heard of any similar instances, but my hon. Friend will appreciate that as the powers of the Registrar in each Dependency and the rights of applicants are determined by the local law it would be improper for me to give directions to registrars on the interpretation of the law.