§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Mohamed Abd-el-Nebi, the husband of the woman Mohamed, who was shot by the gun of one of the British officers on the day of the Denshawi affray, is now undergoing a sentence of imprisonment for life; and, if so, whether the British Resident will be directed to make representations in favour of the remission of this sentence and his immediate release.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir EDWARD GREY, Northumberland, Berwick)Such facts as are in our possession are contained in the Parliamentary Papers, and show that the woman referred to was wounded by the gun which went off in the crowd after the officer had been attacked and his gun taken from him.
†t See (4) Debates, clxv., 1184 et seq.295 His Majesty's Government see no reason for sending instructions to Lord Cromer on the subject.
§ MR. DILLONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Ahmed Hassan Zahzouk, the ombashi of police, who accompanied the British officers on the day of the affray at Denshawi, and who in his evidence at the trial contradicted the evidence of the officers in some important particulars, has since then been tried by a disciplinary court and sentenced to imprisonment and flogging; and, if so, what portion of his sentence he has undergone; and whether the Government will consider the desirability of remitting the remaining portion of his sentence.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI have no information on this subject, but will make inquiries.
§ MR. DILLONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in view of the facts that the information promised on the 5th July last, has now been made available for Members, and that the condition of Egypt no longer gives cause for anxiety, he will give an early opportunity of discussing the Denshawi affray and the trial and consequences which followed it.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYHis Majesty's Government have nothing to add to the statements, which have already been made on this subject, and it is not possible for them to give special time for another discussion.
§ MR. DILLONDoes the right hon. Gentleman remember that he asked the House to abstain from discussing this matter until this information was obtained? Did not that lead the House to believe that an opportunity would be given for discussion?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI remember I made that appeal before any statement at all was made and before we had official information. The hon. Member did not respond to that appeal himself, but other hon. Members did. After Papers had been laid I did not deprecate discussion, and a discussion actually took place. There is nothing which has taken place subsequently which would justify the 296 Government in allotting special time for discussion.