HC Deb 19 November 1976 vol 919 cc763-4W
Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the recent visit of an official of his Department to Nicosia and Ankara to discuss Turkish compensation for property lost by British residents during the Turk invasion of Cyprus.

Mr. Luard

A senior official of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office visited Cyprus and Turkey between 19th and 28th October. During this visit he pressed the Government of Cyprus, the Turkish Government and the Turkish Cypriot authorities in Cyprus to give early consideration to the British claims for compensation which have been, or are being, addressed to them. Individual claims against the Government of Cyprus and the Government of Turkey are being handed over by the High Commission in Nicosia and the Embassy in Ankara. The Turkish Cypriot authorities have been urged to set up their proposed Claims Commission and the Turkish Government have been asked to encourage Mr. Denktash to do so urgently. The Turkish Government have also been requested to make very early settlement in a number of cases, particularly those involving death.