§ 28. Mr. Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Cypriot civilians are still accommodated within the sovereign base areas in Cyprus; what is their condition regarding health and quality of accommodation and their source of income; and if he will make a statement as to their future position.
§ Mr. JohnAbout 8,000 Cypriots are involved, of whom rather more than 1,000 are permanent residents. The remainder are mainly concentrated in recognised camps which have tents or hutted accommodation and cooking and other facilities. With our agreement the Republican authorities have built and are administering a new camp near Ormidhia and have also accepted responsibility for the welfare of most of the remaining Cypriots. Republican welfare and hygiene officials regularly visit the camps, and when requested we provide hospital and medical support. Sources of income are matters for the Republican authorities, but we are aware that they pay unemployment benefits to those who are entitled and that all displaced families are eligible for subsistence payments and assistance in kind. Their future will depend to a large extent on the progress which is made in the current political negotiations.
§ 39. Mr. Woodallasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the continuing British con- 92W tribution to United Nations forces in Cyprus.
§ Mr. JohnWe continue to maintain the largest national contingent in the United Nations force in Cyprus and to provide logistic support for the whole force, which is playing a valuable role in helping to reduce friction between the Turkish and Greek Cypriots.