(DEFENCE AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS SUB-COMMITTEE)
9 December 1975]
[Continued
Mr D F HAWLEY, CMG, MBE, Mr K C THOM, Mr A C GOODISON, CMG, Mr P L O'KEEFFE, CVO, Mr G W HoPCROFT, Mr D F MILTON and Mr D F BURDEN
those two separately. Last year the Secretary of State did in fact suggest that we could help with the running of Nico- sia Airport, but our offers were not taken up, and the circumstances were not con- ductive to pursuing that idea. As we see it, Nicosia airport is essentially the con- cern of Cyprus and it cannot be re- opened without the agreement of both the Turkish and Greek Cypriots, and this agreement so far has proved elusive. Therefore, for the time being we do not see that the question of Her Majesty'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 Hawker Siddeley and British Airways.
105. Would you tell us what the cur- rent annual cost in cash and kind is to UNFICYP from the British Govern- ment?- -The British contribution to UNFICYP is entirely in the form of mains supply and services. We make no cash contribution. The cost of our sup- port in the financial year 1974-75 amoun- ted to some £3.5 million, of which £1.4 million comprised the extra costs of the British contingent, and 2.1 million logis- tics suport following the reinforcement of UNFICYP in August 1974, but in 1975-76 the estimated gross overall cost will be £3.74 million,1 taking into account the reduction in the size of the British contingent and the current prices.
106. Are we entitled to get any element of these support costs back in view of the fact that other people are making contribution in cash to UNFICYP?- Yes, in 1974-75 £0.3 million was recover- able and in the current year it will be £0.31 million.
107. Are these sums which are recover- able in fact recovered, or is there some- times a shortfall because others do not pay
their up
contributions?(Mr Goodison.) We expect that the United Nations secretariat will give us this money.
1 Note by Witness: In February 1976 the cost of the UK contribution for 1975-76 was estimated at £4·14 million.
Chairman
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108. Is it not right that the United States is the only country paying more in Cyprus? They are the only country contributing more to UNFICYP than we are. (Mr Hawley.) I should say that none of the figures I have given includes the basic costs of the United Kingdom con- tingent, estimated to be in the region. of £3.8 million.
Mr Conlan
109. What do you think is going to happen to the residence in Shakespeare Avenue? It is unused more or less, and because it is unused it is falling into decay, and I would imagine with the passing of every month its condition will get worse?The question of up- keep of the residence is basically one for the PSA. We have an interest in it. I agree with you, having seen it myself. Its future is bound up with a political settlement in Cyprus. Were there a political settlement is might become a desirable residence again. For the time At the being it has virtually no same time it is not an asset which we can capitalise on because there would be no ready sale for it in the Turkish area as things now stand. The only sensible thing for the time being seems to be to hold on and incur minimum expenditure on upkeep.
Chairman
110. Could we now pass to Athens. We saw a lot of quarters there, but we were disappointed to learn, and we have heard this elsewhere, of delays concerning the receipt of furniture for post hirings. Instead of the 90 day rule we were told it had now stretched almost to nine months. Is this deterioration still going on?-I think there has been a slight improvement recently.
111. We were there only recently? We likewise are interested parties and are very disappointed, but my under- standing is that the last request for a property to be furnished under the initial furnishing scheme in Athens was in April 1972 and that was dealt with expedi- tiously. The application was received in the supplies division on 4th May and the consignment was dispatched by road on 24th August. This again is the res-
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