§ 47. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Pime Minister what steps are being taken to send out a Commission of Inquiry to Egypt to inquire into the causes of the recent rioting; and will such an inquiry be authorised to inquire into the treatment of the Egyptian fellaheen who enlisted for service as well as into the causes of Moslem unrest?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe attention of His Majesty's Government must for the present be concentrated upon the restoration of law and order in Egypt, and I am unable to state as yet whether a Commission of Inquiry will be dispatched to Egypt or not. But I should like to make it 854 clear that His Majesty's Government intend to institute at the proper moment the fullest inquiry into the causes of the recent rioting.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it possible to establish law and order in that country unless you get down to the causes of the present outbreak? Can we put that right first? May I ask for an answer to the question as to whether we shall have this inquiry within the next month?
Mr. HARMSWORTHIt must be obvious to the hon. and gallant Member that we must restore law and order before proceeding to the inquiry.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWhy is it necessary to re-establish law and order before appointing a Commission to be ready to go out and take evidence?
§ Mr. DEVLINCannot we have law and order in every country by basing law on the consent of the governed?
§ Lieut-Colonel Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKWhen will my hon. Friend begin to apply Liberal principles?