HC Deb 06 July 1955 vol 543 cc96-8W
65. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of Cypriots who have been arrested for acts of violence against the British occupation forces, the number found guilty and sentenced to punishment, and the number still awaiting trial.

Mr. Hopkinson

Four Cypriots were arrested in connection with acts of violence against British military forces. None of them were proceeded against, because of lack of evidence, and they have all been released.

72. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement on the disturbances in Cyprus.

Mr. Hopkinson

Just before mid-night on Monday 20th June attacks were made with explosives at three police stations in different parts of Cyprus, and also on the house of the Commander-in-Chief, Middle East Land Forces, and at the court house at Paphos. Two police constables were wounded. Similar attacks were made on the following five nights by persons using bombs or grenades or submachine guns. The attacks were directed principally against the police and Service personnel.

One of the most serious incidents was the attack on Amiandos police station, which was carried out by six masked men who shot their way in with submachine guns, killing a police sergeant and seriously wounding a constable. The attackers stole three rifles and a shot-gun from the police armoury. The other serious incident was a bomb explosion outside the central police station, Nicosia. One Greek Cypriot civilian was killed, and 11 civilians and two police constables injured. Substantial damage was caused to the building.

In all, 38 attacks and 30 arrests have been made since 20th June. Two persons have been killed and 21 injured.

The campaign of outrages which began on 1st April was apparently directed primarily against property and in order to intimidate rather than to injure persons. The incidents since 20th June, however, while deliberately intended to kill and injure persons, particularly amongst the police and army have been sufficiently indiscriminate to endanger the lives of persons in the vicinity of the explosions.

I am sure that the House will again join with my right hon. Friend in expressing its condemnation of the persons responsible for these outrages. We all regret that no Greek Cypriot newspaper has seen fit to comment editorially on these events since 20th June, and that neither the Archbishop nor other leaders of the Greek community in Cyprus have yet publicly condemned these acts of violence.