§ 73. Mr. Platts-Millsasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the villagers of Xylophagou, Larnaca district, Cyprus, have been warned off their fields for 28 days; what is the nature of the ground tests being made in the area; and what compensation is being offered for the land proposed to be compulsorily acquired.
§ 82. Mr. Piratinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much land in Cyprus has been, and is being, taken away from farming for the purpose of constructing aerodromes; how many peasants are affected; and what alternative arrangements, including compensation, are made for the displaced peasants.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsNo recent proposals for compulsory acquisition of land for aerodromes have been made and the consequential questions therefore do not arise. An order was made on 25th September to permit soil bearing tests to be made upon certain lands in the Xylophagou area during a period of 28 days when the land was lying fallow. The villagers were not warned off their fields but only required not to exercise their rights while the tests were actually being made. The order required reinstatement of the land to its former condition and provided for compensation. No claims have so far been made.