§ 2. Mr. SWANasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the island of Mahé, on which the deportees from Egypt have been placed, has a rainy climate and a temperature of 84 degrees in the shade in winter; that there is only one qualified medical practitioner and no specialists upon it; that there are no dentists and no drugs upon the island; that Saad Zaghloul Pasha is suffering from diabetes and bronchitis, Barakat Bey also from diabetes, and William Makram Ebeid from malaria contracted since his arrest; whether the deportees have addressed a complaint to the Foreign Office in regard to the place of their detention; and what reply has been given to this complaint?
Mr. HARMSWORTHI am informed that the shade temperature in the Sey-chelle Islands ranges from about 68 degrees to 84 degrees Fahrenheit, but is lower in the hills and the climate is not considered unhealthy. There are three Government medical officers in the colony, the chief of whom is an experienced officer of high standing. Facilities exist for dental treatment and there is no reason to suppose that the supply of drugs is insufficient for local needs. I am aware that Zaghloul Pasha 2209 has long suffered from the complaint mentioned by the hon. Member, but I have no information that he has contracted bronchitis or that the health of the other deportees is impaired. No complaint as to their place of detention has been received from the deportees.
§ Mr. SWANWill the hon. Gentleman make further inquiries on these points in regard to the state of health of these people, and is he aware that one of them was in hospital for ten days at Aden?
Mr. HARMSWORTHI am not aware of that, but I will confer with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies.