HC Deb 02 July 1906 vol 159 cc1411-4
MR. REDDY (King's County, Birr)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that whilst one of the Egyptian natives was being hanged at Denshawi, on June 28th, two others were flogged within view of the gallows; that a large multitude, including women, were looking on; and that the flogging caused horrible cries; and will he say whether the sentences were carried out under the supervision of Captain Machell, adviser to the Egyptian Minister of the Interior; and is Captain Machell a British officer.

SIR EDWARD GREY

In consequence of the statement which has appeared in the Press, I have asked for a full Report of how the sentences were carried out, with special reference to the points named in this and other Questions. Meanwhile, I cannot say anything as to who was primarily responsible for carrying out the sentences.

MR. REDDY

Will that brute Machell be kept in the service?

MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

asked if the Answer applied to all the Questions on this subject.

SIR EDWARD GREY

I have, as a matter of fact, prepared Answers which give some pieces of information, but practically my Answer covers all the Questions.

MR. REDDY

Are you going to cloak this man? You talk about the Congo horrors.

MR. MYER (Lambeth, N.)

Are the reports in the Press substantially true?

SIR EDWARD GREY

I have asked for a full Report of all the circumstances of the case. I may say I assume there can be only one impression produced by the details as they appeared in the newspapers, and I think it most desirable instead of dealing with the matter piecemeal we should have the full Report. When that Report has been received I shall be prepared to lay it before the House.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)

asked if the information would be sent by cable.

SIR EDWARD GREY

Considering the number of points raised, it is thought best to have a Report sent by Mail.

MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)

asked if the Report would be received before the Foreign Office Vote would be taken.

SIR EDWARD GREY

I do not think it is possible to have it by Thursday.

MR. DILLON

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of having the Vote postponed or the Report sent by telegraph? It would be unfair to deny the House the only opportunity for considering the Report.

SIR EDWARD GREY

I recognise the importance of the matter, but I think there are other questions of importance not connected with this for discussion on the Vote. My object is to give full information, and when I have laid Papers before the House opportunity will be found for discussion.

MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)

We want the opportunity to compare the Congo administration with our administration in other parts of Africa.

MR. J. M. ROBERTSON (Northumberland, Tyneside)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information showing that the late Captain Bull, whose death followed on the recent affray at Denshawi, really died of heat apoplexy.

SIR EDWARD GREY

I have no information as to the precise cause of death. This is a point which will no doubt appear in the evidence for which I have already asked.

MR. J. D. WHITE (Dumbartonshire)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the hanging of certain natives, and the flogging of certain other natives, at Denshawi on June 28th, were of a public character; whether some hundreds of natives, men and women, were present as spectators; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to have the execution of any such sentences in Egypt conducted in accordance with the usage of civilised nations.

SIR EDWARD GREY

The sentences were ordered to be carried out in public on the scene of the outrage. When I have received the full report, the question of whether such executions should take place in public will be considered.

MR. DILLON

asked whether the proceedings were arranged with the approval of the British Consul and Agent-General; if so, were they approved of by His Majesty's Government; and whether any official attempt had been made to induce any of the London Press to abstain from publishing any of these details.

SIR EDWARD GREY

These points are covered by the Answer I have read. I have no information, but the points have been noted, and will be specially dealt with in the Report on the whole proceedings for which I have already asked. Papers will be laid before the House when the full Report is received. I am not aware of any attempt, official or unofficial, to influence the Press in this matter in any way.

MR. DILLON

Some of us will endeavour to raise the subject on Thursday.