§ 14. Captain ORMSBY-GOREasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to make a statement on the conditions in Egypt and the policy being pursued by General Allenby on behalf of His Majesty's Government in that country before the House rises for Easter?
Mr. HARMSWORTHFrom the general point of view of public security conditions in Egypt are more satisfactory. No incidents of any particular importance have been reported from the provinces, although in some districts in the Delta attempts have been made to interfere with railway and telephone communications. On the 12th an outbreak occurred at the convict prison at Tura, south of Cairo, and a number of convicts succeeded in escaping after a conflict with the Sudanese Guard.
No detailed information has been received at the Foreign Office as to the recent murder of British soldiers in the streets of Cairo which was reported in the Press. It is understood that General Allenby issues official communiqués to representatives of the Press in Cairo and the news is then telegraphed home by them. I mention this as it has been suggested that the Foreign Office have 2881 suppressed information which has later reached this country through the channels of the Press.
General Allenby reports that the strike of Government employés still continues, but that the new Ministry are endeavouring to reach a settlement with the strikers. There appears to be strong opposition on the part of moderate elements to a continuation of the strike, but agitators continue to employ all means in their power to prolong it.
The policy pursued by General Allenby, in virtue of the full discretionary powers vested in him by His Majesty's Government, is to secure the co-operation of all the native elements in his task of restoring law and order and normal conditions of life throughout the country.