§ 13. Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the General Officer Commanding the British Forces in Egypt at the outbreak of the War had the authority of His Majesty's 1772 Government for the pledge he gave to the Egyptian people that, recognising the respect and veneration with which the Sultan of Turkey in his religious capacity is regarded by the Mahomedans of Egypt, Great Britain takes upon herself the sole burden of the War in Egypt without calling upon the Egyptian people for aid; whether the approval of the Egyptian Legislative Assembly was afterwards obtained before the Egyptians were called upon to fight against the Turks; and, if the theory is that they were fighting for Egypt, will he explain why medals in reward of bravery were conferred upon Egyptian officers not by the Sultan of Egypt but by British authorities?
§ Sir E. GREYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; that to the second part in the negative, as the Assembly was not sitting. As regards the last part, I have no information on the subject which would appear to be of a military nature.
§ 14. Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of Egyptians deported, or invited without option of refusal to leave Egypt, since the War began, the number interned in Malta and other places of internment, the number required to leave Alexandria and Cairo and go to live in villages, and the number in prison in Egypt on political grounds?
§ Sir E. GREYSo far as I am aware, no Egyptians have as yet been deported from that country. On the other points dealt with in the question I have no information.