TNAG-0525-FCO40-620-Visit-of-UK-Members-of-Parliament-(Defence-and-External-Affa-1975 — Page 30

existence of cir conditioning in a hospital at Uheltholic, and we have

certainly quoted this instance as supporting our contention that that is

provided for then should be provided for us. The answer was that the air

conditioning in this case was achieved some time ago, perhaps not altogether

regularly, and our case was not nade.

There is a problem of the airport if there were a failure between the

Greeks and Tunis to agree on its future use. Would there be any possibility

of the British Govermont being prepared to run it or is there the possibility

of something being done to release the aircraft at present stranded on the

airfield. A. (In Morley) Could we talo those two separately. Last yeen

the Secretary of State did in fact suggest that we could help with the runing

of Nicosia sinport, but our offers were not taken up, and the circumstances

were not condusive to purusing that idea. As we see it, Nicosia airport is

essentially the concem of Cyprus and it cannot be re-opened without the

agreement of both the Turkish end Greek: Cypriots, and this agreement so fer

has proved elusive. Therefore, for the time being we do not see that the

question of Her lajesty's Government running the airport can arise. As

regards the stranded aircraft, there are five British stranded aircraft, and

as a result of sustained high level representations the BAC 111 is about to

be released. The question of the other four aircraft is still under

discussion between Her Majesty's Government and the owners, Lloyds Underwriters

Hauler Siddeley and British Airways.

Q. Would you tell us what the current annual cost in cash and kind is to

UNFICYP from the British Government? A. The British contribution to UNFICYP

is entirely in the form of mains supply and services. We make no cash

contribution.

The cost of our support in the financial year 1974/5 amounted

to some €3.5 million, of which £1.4 million comprised the extra costs of

the British contingent, end 22.1 million logistics support following the

reinforcement of UNFICYP in August 1974, but in 1975/76 the estinated gross

overall cost will be 23.74 million, taking into account the reduction in the

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