§ 33. Captain ORMSBY-GOREasked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Anglo-Egyptian Civil servants who have been temporarily employed in the Army in Egypt have been given indulgence passages free to come home on leave, while their colleagues, who were retained in the employ of the Egyptian Government because their services could not be spared, and who have spent four and a half years in Egypt with out leave, have had to pay the full cost of their passages home on leave; and, in view of the small pay received by Anglo-Egyptian Civil servants, especially in the middle ranks of promotion, he will communicate with the Treasury, with a view to a. part at any rate of their leave pas sages being paid for by the public?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHI understand that in certain cases indulgence passages were granted by the military authorities to British officials of the Egyptian Government whose services had been lent to them, but I have no precise information on the matter.
I regret that I should not feel justified in suggesting to the Treasury that the cost of passages on leave for servants of the Egyptian Government should be made a charge on British funds.
§ Captain ORMSBY-GOREWill the hon. Gentleman consider the alternative of re presenting to the Egyptian Government that some assistance should be given; seeing that the fares have been increased without any corresponding increase in pay?
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHThat opens up a very big question, but I will consider the suggestion the hon. Member has made.