§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many United Kingdom nationals have still to receive compensation for damage and loss suffered during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus; and what is the total sum being claimed in compensation.
§ Mr. WhitneyOf the 1,000 claims registered by private British nationals, there are about 760 who have not received compensation from the Turkish Cypriot authorities. However, 117 of these have accepted ex-gratia awards and are expected to receive payment soon. The remainder covers claims from British nationals with Greek Cypriot origins and connections and claims arising from losses in Varosha—Famagusta—which are not currently being dealt with by the Turkish Cypriot claims commission. It is not possible to give the total sum involved in British claims since some British nationals have been pursuing their claims direct with the Turkish Cypriot claims commission without notifying our high commission in Nicosia. Through the British high commission in Nicosia we are continuing to press the Turkish Cypriot authorities to expedite settlement of all outstanding British claims.