§ 5. Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can state, approximately, the number of British-born men of military age occupying civil positions in Egypt, such as clerks and railway officials, while Egyptians competent to fill those positions are left without employment; the reason for this discrimination before the War; and the reason for its continuance when Britons are required for the British Army?
§ Sir E. GREYI cannot give the numbers, but I believe it to be as true now as before the outbreak of the War that the British officials employed in Egypt are necessary to maintain the administration and our obligations there; they are therefore best performing their duties to their country at a time of war by continuing in their posts, and it would be a grave lose if they were withdrawn from there.