Written question asked by Tom Cox (Labour) on Thursday, 10 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 18 March 2005. It was answered by Denis MacShane (Labour) on Friday, 18 March 2005 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, when the last population survey took place in Northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement; how many (a) Turkish Cypriots born in Cyprus and (b) Turkish settlers he estimates there are in Northern Cyprus; what percentage each represents of the total population; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) when the last population survey took place in Northern Cyprus; and if he will make a statement; [221551] (2) how many (a) Turkish Cypriots born in Cyprus and (b) Turkish settlers he estimates there are in Northern Cyprus; what percentage each represents of the total population; and if he will make a statement. [221552] Mr. MacShane: The last census in the north of Cyprus carried out by the Turkish Cypriot authorities in 1996 found that there were 137,398 Turkish Cypriots and 54,626 people born in mainland Turkey. However, these figures are not universally accepted. The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly adopted a resolution in 2003 stating that there were 115,000 persons of Turkish mainland origin in the north of Cyprus. The Assembly also noted that in 2001 there were 87,600 Turkish Cypriots in the north of Cyprus. The Assembly's figures too are disputed. We believe that the population composition in the north of Cyprus will likely be an important factor in any new settlement negotiations. In that context, universally agreed figures on the demographics of the north would clearly be desirable. But it is for the two sides, in the context of renewed efforts towards achieving a settlement, and in conjunction with the United Nations, to discuss the most appropriate way to deal with demographic issues pertaining to the situation in Cyprus.

Secondary information