HC Deb 20 January 1982 vol 16 cc137-8W
Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Lord Privy Seal in what ways the sovereign base areas of Cyprus do not have the status of a Crown colony.

Mr. Humphrey Atkins

Article 1 of Treaty of Establishment provided that the base areas should remain under United Kingdom sovereignty. A corresponding provision is in section 1(i) of the Cyprus Act 1960. These documents define the legal status of the bases. However, in a declaration regarding their administration, transmitted to the Government of Cyprus on independence, Her Majesty's Government declared their intention not to develop the bases for other than military purposes and not to set up and administer "colonies": this is reflected in the fact that responsibility for their administration rests with the Secretary of State for Defence.

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