HC Deb 19 April 1991 vol 189 cc285-6W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what information he has on the number of settlers going into northern Cyprus from Turkey in each of the last five years;

(2) what discussions he has had with the Turkish Government as to their policy of allowing Turkish nationals to settle in northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Garel-Jones

There is no reliable information on the number of Turkish settlers in northern Cyprus.

All parties to the intercommunal dispute are aware that this issue will have to be addressed in the context of the comprehensive, just and lasting settlement for which the UN Secretary-General is working, with our full support.

Mr. Speed

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he has had discussions with the Government of Cyprus about the build-up of arms in that country.

Mr. Garel-Jones

It is our long-standing policy to sell weapons neither to the Greek Cypriot National Guard nor to the Turkish Cypriot armed forces. The Cyprus Government are aware of our view that the continuation of arms purchases does not assist the UN Secretary-General's search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the involved parties in Cyprus as to the rights of ownership of land and property in that country; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Garel-Jones

The issue of property and land ownership rights is a key element in the current efforts by the UN Secretary-General to resolve the intercommunal dispute in Cyprus. We have been in close touch with the parties to the dispute on this and other issues.

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