§ 61. Mr. SWANasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that nine princes of the family of Mohammed Ali have addressed a petition to the King of Egypt asking for the release of Zaghloul Pasha and his colleagues, for the abolition of martial law, and for the freedom of the Press, and declared in this petition that this represented the unanimous demand of the natives, what steps the Government propose to take in the matter?
Mr. HARMSWORTHHis Majesty's Government do not propose to take any action in regard to the petition.
§ Sir B. FALLEIs Mahommed Ali an Egyptian?
§ Mr. SWANAre we to assume by the hon. Gentleman's reply that we are dictating the policy, and under the recent Treaty of Independence of Egypt it is so reserved that they have not power to bring back the deportees, nor withdraw martial law and Press censorship?
Mr. HARMSWORTHI am very sorry I did not hear the hon. Gentleman's question. Perhaps he will put it down?