HC Deb 30 March 1920 vol 127 c1050
5. Mr. LUNN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many signatures Lord Milner has succeeded in obtaining from representative Egyptians in favour of the continuance of the British Protectorate?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

It is no part of Lord Milner's task to obtain signatures from anyone, nor did he, in fact, attempt to do so.

Sir H. BRITTAIN

Is it not a fact that since the days of Pharaoh, the Egyptian people have never been so prosperous as to-day under the British Protectorate?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

That is so.

6. Mr. LUNN

asked whether the British Government is satisfied that the Egyptian people accept the British Protectorate; and, if so, what is the reason for the continuation of martial law throughout the whole of Egypt?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

His Majesty's Government await the Report of Lord Milner's Commission before expressing an opinion. The second part of the question docs not therefore arise.

7. Mr. LUNN

asked whether advantage has been taken of Lord Milner's offer to hear all views by a single representative Egyptian with the exception of the Ministers who are the creation of the British Government?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

The answer is in the affirmative, though it is obviously undesirable to mention names.

8. Mr. SWAN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the advisability, in order to convince the British public as to the attitude of the Egyptian people to the British protectorate, of inviting a mission of representative Egyptians to visit London to give their views?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

Representative Egyptians have had every opportunity of giving their views in Egypt to Lord Milner's Mission.