Written question asked by Phyllis Starkey (Labour) on Thursday, 22 November 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 November 2007. It was answered by Jim Murphy (Labour) on Thursday, 6 December 2007 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Northern Cyprus: Overseas Property

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what risk assessment his Department has undertaken in relation to the acquisition of properties by UK citizens in (a) Northern Cyprus and (b) illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Answer: Our high commission in Nicosia recognises that there is a risk in relation to the acquisition of properties by UK nationals in the north of Cyprus. This is reflected in the travel advice for Cyprus given on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's website and the answers to ““Frequently Asked Questions”” that are sent to inquirers on request. This advice is reproduced as follows:"Property issues are closely linked to the political situation. There are a number of potential practical, financial and legal implications, particularly for those considering buying property in the north. These relate to the non-recognition of the ““Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus””, the suspension of EU law in northern Cyprus, the possible consequences for property of a future settlement, and the many thousands of claims to ownership from people displaced in 1974. There is also a risk that, as a result of the disputed ownership of many of the properties, purchasers could face legal proceedings in the courts of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as attempts to enforce judgments from these courts elsewhere in the EU, including the UK."The Government have undertaken no risk assessment in relation to the acquisition of properties by UK citizens in illegal Israeli settlements.

Secondary information