HC Deb 09 May 1989 vol 152 cc358-9W
Mr. Faulds

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much public money has been committed to Cyprus by the British Government in the last 12 months for the benefit of(a) Turkish Cypriots and (b) Greek Cypriots; and for what purposes.

Mr. Chris Patten

The following commitments have been made to Cyprus in the last 12 months.

I Overseas Development Administration Technical Cooperation Programme

(a) Turkish Community:— English Language Teacher Training in Turkish medium schools: £69,800 for the period 1988–91 Book Presentation Programme: £4,000 for 1989–90

(b) Greek Community Pedagogical Institute Teacher Training Project £103,000 for the period 1989–92 Book Presentation Programme £6,000 for 1989–90 Overseas Development Administration Technical Co-operation Training Programme £121,000 for 1989–90 As I told the hon. Member on 1 March 1988, at column 502, the ratio of awards to Greek and Turkish Cypriots will vary from year to year, depending on the quality of the candidates coming forward and other factors. It is not possible to forecast at this stage the distribution of future awards.

II FCO Scholarship and Award Scheme for 1988–89

  1. (a) Turkish Candidates £81,217
  2. (b) Greek Candidates £37,413

III FCO Fee Support Scheme for 1988–89

  1. (a) Turkish Candidates £49,129
  2. (b) Greek Candidates £744,365

IV British Council (exchanges of persons, information activities, etc.) for 1989–90

  1. (a) Turkish beneficiaries £10,940
  2. (b) Greek beneficiaries £66,590

V Home Office (Anti-drug trafficking programmes for 1988–89)

(a) Turkish Community: Training for Turkish Cypriot customs officers: £2,200

(b) Greek Community: Provision of customs equipment: £8,300

Mr. Faulds

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much public money has been committed to Cyprus by the European Community in the last 12 months for the benefit of(a) Turkish Cypriots and (b) Greek Cypriots; and for what purposes.

Mr. Chris Patten

The European Community allocated £29 million under the second five year financial protocol for Cyprus which expired last December. A further five-year financial protocol under which £41 million will be provided was agreed at the beginning of this year. The Community seeks to support projects of benefit to the whole population of the island; in particular, it has met the cost of water, electricity and sewerage works. No division of the sums committed for the benefit of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots is available.

Mr. Faulds

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much public money has been committed to Cyprus by the United Nations and its specialised agencies in the last 12 months for the benefit of(a) Turkish Cypriots and (b) Greek Cypriots; and for what purposes.

Mr. Chris Patten

In 1987, the latest year for which figures are available, total net official development assistance to Cyprus from the United Nations and its agencies was $7.62 million, or some £4.65 million. Detailed information on the precise destination and purpose of this assistance is not held centrally.

Mr. Faulds

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government intend to continue the paying of public funds to the Greek Cypriots as aid, in view of the finding of the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs that by most criteria the southern sector of Cyprus is no longer eligible for economic aid.

Mr. Chris Patten

We regard it as important to make technical co-operation and other public funds available to both communities in Cyprus.