§ 102. Sir W. SEAGERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is possible to declare the origin, nature, and extent of the recent outbreak in Egypt?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe recent disturbances were confined to Cairo and Alexandria. They began in the former city on 18th May, and continued on the two following days. Order was restored on the evening of 20th May, and has been maintained since. British troops were not called out in Cairo, where the total casualties amount to: Killed, 5 natives; wounded, 133, including 100 native police, 14 native soldiers, and 2 British police officers. Disturbances began in Alexandria on 20th May, when two police stations were burnt, and the police were compelled to fire on the mob, inflicting casualties. Order was not restored until the night of 22nd May, when collisions occurred in the Hamamil quarter between Egyptians and Europeans. On the following morning the Egyptian police were no longer able to control the situation, and handed over to the British military authorities, by whom order was restored. There have been no further outbreaks. Total casualties in Alexandria were: Killed, 68 natives, 1 British soldier, 1 Maltese, 1 French, 3 Italians, 13 Greeks; wounded, 162 natives, including 30 police and 5 Jews, 2 Maltese, 64 other Europeans, of whom 46 are Greeks, and 10 whose nationality has not been ascertained. With regard to the origin and nature of these outbreaks, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Stafford on the 26th ultimo.