HL Deb 14 April 1981 vol 419 c974WA
Lord Brockway

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On what grounds development payments to Cyprus, amounting to £150 million, pledged by the Macmillan Government in the independence treaties of 1960, have been withheld since 1965, and what has been the result of the negotiations relating to them.

The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Lord Carrington)

No financial assistance has been paid to Cyprus since 1965 following the breakdown of the bicommunal constitution. The Exchange of Notes concerning financial assistance to the Republic of Cyprus of 16th August 1960 did not oblige the United Kingdom to pay financial aid to Cyprus after 31st March 1965. A loan of £7½ million was none the less offered in 1978. It has not yet been taken up. The Government have agreed to informal discussions, which have not yet started.