§ Mr. LUPTON (for Mr. Mackarness)asked whether the proceedings against persons suspected of being dangerous characters, before the Commissioners established by the Egyptian law of 4th July, 1909, will be conducted in public; and, if not, who will be allowed to be present at the hearings, and what record will there be of what takes place?
§ Sir E. GREYThere is no provision in the law itself that the proceedings taken under it shall be conducted in public, but instructions have been issued by the Minister of the Interior to Governors of Provinces, that the public shall be admitted to them, so far as is permitted by the space in the Moudirieh in which the proceedings take place.
§ Mr. LUPTON (for Mr. Mackarness)asked whether the Egyptian law of 4th 1074 July, 1909, which purports to render any person in Egypt liable to be placed under police supervision and to deportation without being charged with any criminal office or tried before any court of justice, applies to British subjects and to subjects of Foreign Powers who may be resident in Egypt; and, if not, against whom is the law directed.
§ Sir E. GREYThe Commissions established under the Ordinance are composed of native Egyptians, and the law cannot be made to extend to British and Foreign subjects who are not justiciable by native tribunals.
§ Mr. LUPTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if there has been a great increase in recent years in crime in Egypt requiring the special legislation contained in the Decree of the 4th July, 1909; and if he can give the statistics of crime for the last five years?
§ Sir E. GREYThe actual statistics of the last three years are given at page 34 of Sir Eldon Gorst's last report. I am expecting further information from Cairo, which I shall be glad to give when available. I must point out that the increase of crime, due to the great difficulty of obtaining evidence in particular cases, has led to some of the rural districts being terrorized by dangerous characters. I am satisfied that it was absolutely necessary for the Egyptian Government to resort to some special measures to put an end to this, and the legislation referred to has the approval of native opinion as well as that of British officials who are employed in the Ministry of the Interior.
§ Mr. LUPTONHas there been a considerable and striking increase of crime in Egypt in the last few years?
§ Sir E. GREYYes, there has been.
Sir GILBERT PARKERDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that the increase of crime is somewhat due to laxity of administration owing to the withdrawal of British inspectors, who previously assisted in the administration?
§ Sir E. GREYNo, I understand the British inspectors have not been withdrawn. The increase of crime has been due to the impossibility of getting, evidence.