§ 39. Mr. G. TERRELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement as to the position in Egypt; and whether, in view of public anxiety, he can arrange for a daily Report to be issued?
Mr. HARMSWORTHI would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made yesterday in the House.
A telegram from General Allenby received at the Foreign Office confirms the report which has appeared in the Press that a riot took place on the 3rd April in Abdin Square, Cairo. In the course of this disturbance one British civilian official, whose name was not given by General Allenby, was killed. There were some casualties among the demonstrators and the rioters were dispersed by troops.
Subsequent telegrams from Cairo report that no further disturbances have occurred there or in the provinces, and on three successive days the information has been received that the situation is quiet.
Arrangements are being made for issuing periodically to the Press official statements as to the situation.
§ Mr. TERRELLWill my hon. Friend publish the names of the civilians and military who have been killed in these disturbances?
Mr. HARMSWORTHYes, Sir. I have been very reluctant to make any official statement with regard to that, because our information has not always been clear or accurate enough. But when we know the facts definitely I shall publish them. But it is inadvisable to do that until we are quite certain of the names of the officers.
§ Mr. TERRELLWill it be done without waiting for questions to be put on the floor of the House?