§ Sir R. Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any further information to give to the House about the relaxation of the Emergency Regulations in Cyprus.
§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd:Yes. The Governor announced yesterday certain relaxations of the Emergency Regulations and certain other steps which he has now 81W decided to take with a view to creating conditions favourable to a peaceful settlement Details are as follows:
The Emergency Regulations are being amended so as to abolish the death penalty for all offences under these Regulations except those of discharging a firearm at a person, carrying a firearm without lawful authority or excuse, and throwing or using a bomb or other explosive with the intention of causing death or bodily harm. In cases which are already the subject of inquiry or legal proceedings and which involve offences other than those excepted above, the effect of the amendment will be to substitute the punishment of imprisonment for the death penalty provided the case has not proceeded to the stage of an information having been signed against the accused.As for cases which have already proceeded beyond that stage the Governor will consider the cessation of violence as a relevant consideration of a public nature to be taken into account in the exercise of the prerogative although it would not he the only or decisive factor.The Emergency Powers (Control of Sale and Circulation of Publications) Regulations, 1956, will be revoked.The Bishop of Kitium and the Secretary of the Ethnarchy will be released from house detention.A further review will be undertaken of the cases of all detained persons with a view to 82W releasing any who can now be set at liberty without serious prejudice to public safety and order.The Orders providing for the control of taxis and the various prohibitions on the use of bicycles will be revoked.The Governor will consider further relaxations of emergency measures as conditions in the Island make it safe to do so.