§ 3. Mr. WISEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, at a camp at Sidi Bishr, near Alexandria, there are Turkish and Russian refugees receiving free board, lodging, and doles of the equivalent of 4s. a day; who pays this cost, and if it is the British Government; what is the cost per annum; and how long will it continue?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI regret that I am unable to give the hon. Member details regarding the camp at Sidi Bishr, as the numbers are continually changing; but Russian refugees in Egypt who are being maintained by His Majesty's Government cost 3s. 6d. per head per day. There are no Turkish refugees in Egypt. The total cost per annum of the 2,589 Russian refugees at present in Egypt is £162,240. Every effort is being made to liquidate the obligations of His Majesty's Government towards these refugees, but I am unable to give any definite date upon which they will cease to be a charge upon public funds.
Sir J. D. REESIs it quite clear what these obligations are, and whether they are such as must necessarily be liquidated until the bitter end?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEMy hon. Friend will see by the answer that we are endeavouring to liquidate these obligations as rapidly as possible.
Sir J. D. REESWhat is the nature of these obligations? Why are they binding above the overriding obligation to the British taxpayer?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI can assure my hon. Friend that unless the obligations were considered binding the expense would not have been undertaken.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIf we cannot look after our own unemployed properly, why should we support the Russian unemployed?
§ Mr. MARRIOTTDid my hon. Friend state what is the total cost per annum?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEYes, £162,840.