§ 10. Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will consider the advisability of making known to the Egyptian people that Egypt is one of the small nations for the independence of which the Allies are fighting and that it will be invited to send a freely chosen representative to the Peace Conference following the War?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord Robert Cecil)I do not consider that there is any need for making an announcement to the Egyptian Government on the points mentioned by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. GINNELLCan the Noble Lord say what are the small nations for whose independence the Allies are fighting?
§ 11. Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by whose authority the title of the British High Commissioner in Egypt was changed to Representative of the King, the name of the British Agency to House of Protection, the occupant empowered to travel in state as a sovereign, using special trains, a guard of honour, and passing through the royal gates; whether the Egyptian people have ever given any consent to this; and whether the Sultan has consented to the implied limitations of his sovereignty?
§ Lord R. CECILThe allegations implied in the first part of the hon. Member's question have no foundation in fact. The title of His Majesty's Representative in Egypt is that of High Commissioner; the name of the former Agency and Con- 2058 sulate-General has been altered to British Residency. The second part of the question does not arise.
§ 12 Mr. GINNELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Egyptian reserve has been called up to take part in the present War; how that is reconciled with the pledge given to the Egyptian people at the outbreak of the War that they would not be asked to take part in it; whether he is aware of the official statement published in Cairo that Great Britain would bear the cost of the Egyptian reserve in the War and the offer of the Egyptian Ministers that this cost would be borne by the Egyptian people; whether the Egyptian Ministers have power to decide such matters without consulting the Financial Adviser; whether this adviser is British or Egyptian; and whether the Egyptian Legislative Assembly will be allowed to meet before the offer is accepted?
§ Lord R. CECILAs regards the first part of the question, I understand that some reservists have been called up to look after the large herds of camels now being employed by the British forces in Egypt. As regards the second part, I can only refer to the answer returned to the hon. Member's question of the 11th November last. I have received no offer such as is mentioned in the third part of the question, and the remainder of the question does not, therefore, arise.