§ 92. Mr. Skeffingtonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the cost of living in Cyprus compared with 1939; whether wages of Government servants and others have increased to the same extent; and 325W what measures are taken by the Government of Cyprus to control rents.
Mr. Creech JonesThe cost-of-living index dates from August, 1939, and in March, 1947, the index figure was 278. The wage rates of daily labour in 1939 averaged 15 piastres. The present minimum paid by Government for unskilled labour is 51 piastres, and for non-Government labour the minimum rate is rather higher. (9 piastres equal 1 shilling.) The salaries of permanent and pensionable Government servants have recently been revised and the salaries of temporary employees of Government are now under review. Both classes receive war bonus payments, and the following table shows the rates of war bonus payable in March, 1947:
- (i) Salaries below £180 per annum—. £104.
- (ii) Salaries from £180 to £300 per annum—09 3s.
- (iii) Salaries above £300 and up to £600 a year for unmarried officers and £1,000 a year for married officers—£59 8s. 5 piastres.
A rent restriction law was passed in October, 1942, which froze rents at the level obtaining in March, 1941. An amendment in 1946 allowed unconditional increases of up to 15 per cent. for residences and schools and 25 per cent. for other premises. Rent assessment boards, of which the district judge is president, have power to assess equitable rent at any level on application by either landlord or tenant. Landlords and tenants may themselves enter into voluntary agreements for adjustments of rents.