§ Mr. A. LUPTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if murder, attempted murder, theft, attempted theft, destruction of crops, poisoning animals, and arson are contrary to the Egyptian penal code; if it is proposed by the Egyptian Government, under the Ordinance of 4th July, 1909, to punish persons who have been tried for such crimes and acquitted; if it is further proposed to punish 544 persons accused of such crimes, against whom there is not sufficient evidence to justify their being sent to trial; and if it is proposed under the said Ordinance to imprison and punish persons, not because they have committed any of the above crimes or have been convicted of committing them, but because they have been, accused by several people and there is not sufficient evidence to justify the accusation, as explained in the despatch of Sir Eldon Gorst, dated 10th July?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. Grey)The whole text of the Ordinance has been laid before Parliament. It was discussed and passed by the Legislative Council, and I can give no fuller explanation of its provisions than appears in the Papers now laid. There is no provision in it which entails a sentence of imprisonment.
§ Mr. LUPTONMay I ask whether this Ordinance applies to Europeans—Englishmen, Frenchmen, and others?
§ Sir E. GREYI understand there is a question for Tuesday on that point, and I will answer it then.
§ Mr. LUPTONMay I ask whether the detention of foreigners for an indefinite period differs from imprisonment?
§ Sir E. GREYUnder the provisions of this Ordinance it differs very materially.
§ Mr. LUPTONWould the right hon. Gentleman kindly explain—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Gentleman had better put down any further questions.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLMay I ask whether this ordinance has the approval of the British Government, which has suzerain control?
§ Sir E. GREYThe Ordinance was passed by the Legislative Council before it was submitted to the Government at all. It has been under consideration ever since.
§ Mr. MacNEILLThen the right hon. Gentleman endorses Sir Eldon Gorst's approval? Does he, or does he not? Does the right hon. Gentleman endorse Sir Eldon Gorst's approval of the Ordinance and commit the British Government to it?
§ Sir E. GREYYes, I do endorse what Sir Eldon Gorst says. If the hon. Gentleman wishes any further statement made, perhaps he will put a question on the Paper.
§ Mr. MacNEILLWhen the right hon. Gentleman endorsed that approval, did he consider that persons acquitted of charges have been kept under, detention?
§ Mr. SPEAKERWill the hon. Gentleman put down any further questions?