making representations to obtain the release of these aircraft if their owners so request. No such request has so far been received from the owners in view of certain as yet unresolved legal and commercial difficulties.
20. The Committee recommended that the Government should press with urgency the matter of those claims where, if further time were to elapse, property, whether of Her Majesty's Government such as the Famagusta cold store or of private individuals, is likely to deteriorate (paragraph 25). The Government have made and will continue to make persistent and robust representations to the responsible authorities for the return of British-owned property in Cyprus and for the payment of equitable compensation for losses and damage sustained. Given staff limitations and travel restrictions, it is not feasible to identify any particular house, flat, shop, factory, car, boat or other possession which is likely to suffer special deterioration. The Govern- ment's efforts are aimed at securing the return of all property and at securing compensation for all losses and damage as quickly as possible.
21. The Famagusta cold store referred to belongs to NAAFI, a non- Governmental organisation. NAAFI have recently removed as many of the cold cabinets as possible and there remain only those cold storage units which are built into the building. Such facilities that remain are unlikely to deteriorate any faster than the building itself as a result of normal climatic damage.
22. The Committee urged that the Government should insist to the Turkish Government and to the Turkish Cypriot administration that the freedom of movement of diplomatic staff should be unrestricted (paragraph 25). Representations have already been made to the Turkish Cypriot authorities and the Turkish Government. The British High Commissioner in Nicosia and Her Majesty's Ambassador in Ankara have been asked to make further representations. The restrictions on the movement of diplo- matic staff affect adversely their ability to visit British-owned property in restricted/military areas, e.g. Varosha. But they have not jeopardised the safety and welfare of United Kingdom nationals, which remains the prime concern of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
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