§ Mr. ALBION RICHARDSON(by Private Notice) asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a further statement with reference to the situation in Egypt?
Mr. HARMSWORTHGeneral Allen by, the Special High Commissioner, has, in the exercise of the discretionary powers granted to him, issued a Proclamation to the following effect:
Now that order has been in great measure restored, I declare, in agreement with His Highness The Sultan, that there are no restrictions on travel, and that Egyptians who wish to leave the country will be free to do so.It is understood that a Ministry is in course of formation, and that a deputation of Ministers will shortly visit this country in response to the invitation already twice extended to them by His Majesty's Government.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWill Indians who are able to leave India also be allowed to land in this country?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre the people who were originally barred from coming to this country now to be allowed to come here?
§ Major Earl WINTERTONCan the hon. Gentleman tell the House anything about the riots reported to-day, in which several prominent Englishmen were killed in Abdin Square three days ago?
Mr. HARMSWORTHI shall be glad if the Noble Lord will put that question down to me to-morrow; I have no official information of it.
Mr. THOMASWould it be possible for the Foreign Office to give the House information with regard to this very disturbing matter, rather than leave it to be forced out by questions and rumours outside?
Mr. HARMSWORTHIf the right hon. Gentleman can suggest means by which that can be done, we shall be most willing to do it.
Mr. THOMASAre not the means at the disposal of the Government itself if in their judgment there are matters of public importance of this kind? Would it not be better to report them to the House rather than wait for questions?
§ Sir TUDOR WALTERSCannot you get one of your tame private secretaries to put a prepared question?