§ 30. Captain ORMSBY-GOREasked the Under-Seretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether telegraphic, telephonic, and railway communication between Alexandria and Cairo has been interrupted by riots arising from political unrest, and whether immediate steps have been taken to restore such communications, and with what results?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe answer to the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's question is in the affirmative. The latest reports show that railway communication between Cairo and Alexandria has been restored and telegraphic communication between Cairo and Tanta Wireless telegraphy is being used between Cairo and Alexandria.
§ Major Earl WINTERTONHow long is it now that telegraphic communication has been interrupted between Cairo and Alexandria? Is it not over a week, and is not the situation very serious?
Mr. HARMSWORTHI could not answer my Noble Friend's detailed question, but the situation gives cause for some anxiety, as he knows.
§ Earl WINTERTONWill my hon. Friend or the Leader of the House make a statement on the whole situation in Egypt at an early date?
§ 31. Captain ORMSBY-GOREasked the Under - Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether General Sir Reginald Wingate, British High Commissioner in Egypt, is still being detained in this country at the request of the Government; and whether, in view of the serious political crisis which has arisen in Egypt in Sir Reginald Wingate's absence, he will be allowed to return to Egypt forthwith and given a free hand by the Foreign Office to deal with the situation?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe answer to the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's question is in the affirmative. Sir Reginald Wingate is remaining here to afford valuable advice and assistance to His Majesty's Government. In the meantime, as already announced, General Allenby is proceeding to Egypt as Special High Commissioner with supreme civil and military authority, and will receive the full support of His Majesty's Government in dealing with the situation.
§ Captain ORMSBY-GOREAm I to understand from that reply Sir Reginald Wingate is in any way superseded? This arrangement is only temporary, is it not?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the Government accepting the advice of Sir Reginald Wingate?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODYou said they were taking advantage of hearing his views. Are they accepting the views he puts?
§ Lieutenant-Colonel S. HOAREIs it not rather unfortunate that General Allenby and Sir Reginald Wingate should be away from Egypt at the same time?
§ 58. Captain ORMSBY-GOREasked the Prime Minister whether, as soon as order has been restored in Egypt, the Government will set up a Royal Commission to examine and report on what constitutional and departmental changes are necessary, if any, to give effect to the declared policy of the Government in regard to the future development of the administration of Egypt; and whether, in the event of such a Commission being set up, the evidence of responsible Egyptian public opinion will be taken and the present composition and functions of the Egyptian Department of the Foreign Office and its relation to the Egyptian Government and the Anglo-Egyptian Civil Service reviewed?
Mr. HARMSWORTHIt has always been the intention of His Majesty's Government that as soon as possible a full inquiry should be made on the lines indicated in the first part of the question, and at such inquiry the evidence of responsible Egyptian public opinion will have every opportunity of being heard.
It would be premature, however, to decide at the moment whether a Royal Commission will be the most suitable machinery for the purpose, and the last part of the hon. and gallant Member's question does not therefore at present arise.
§ Captain ORMSBY-GOREAre we to understand that the Government are considering the alternative of a purely Departmental Committee of the Foreign Office?
§ Earl WINTERTONMay we have an undertaking that whatever Committee is set up it will not be purely of the Foreign Office?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODCan we have an answer to that question?
Mr. J. JONESIs the hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of British soldiers in Egypt are absolutely against the policy that is now being pursued?