HC Deb 16 July 1907 vol 178 cc535-6
DR. RUTHERFORD

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that M. Lambert, a Frenchman, resigned the rectorship of the Khedivial School of Law through differences with Mr. Dunlop, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Public Instruction, Egypt; whether he will explain the reason for the appointment of an Englishman to a Government post invariably held, since the establishment of the School of Law, by subjects of the French Republic, in view of the spirit of Article V. of the Anglo-French Declaration of 1904; and whether Mr. Dunlop will be requested to resign.

SIR EDWARD GREY

I understand that Monsieur Lambert, whose resignation was not desired, resigned his post as Principal of the Khedivial School of Law in consequence of a misunderstanding with the Ministry of Public Instruction on the subject of his leave. In view of the growing demand to enter the English side of the school the Egyptian Government decided to promote one of the existing English Professors to the vacancy thus created; there is no ground for the suggestion that such an appointment is in any way contrary to the spirit of the Anglo-French Agreement of 1904, and no reason whatever for the reflection upon Mr. Dunlop contained in the Question.

MR. J. M. ROBERTSON

asked if M. Lambert's successor was qualified to give instruction in the French law?

SIR EDWARD GREY

That is a matter for the Egyptian Government, who had before them the requirements for the post and the qualifications of the gentleman appointed.

SIR GILBERT PARKER

Has not the appointment received the assent and approval of the French Consul-General?

SIR EDWARD GREY

said he was unable to add anything to the information he had given the House.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Adviser to the Egyptian Ministry of Education has refused to accede to the petition of a number of natives holding the secondary education certificates that the evening classes of the Khedivial School of Law should be re-established; and, if so, what is the reason for the refusal?

SIR EDWARD GREY

The Egyptian Ministry of Education has declined to re-establish these classes because the results derived from them previously were very unsatisfactory.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

On what grounds have these evening classes been discontinued?

SIR EDWARD GREY

I believe because from an educational point of view the results were unsatisfactory.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

They were too quick in learning the law.

MR. J. M. ROBERTSON

In what way were the results unsatisfactory?

SIR EDWARD GREY

I will make-inquiry if the hon. Member wishes.

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