§ 17. Mr. SWANasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at whose instigation Zaghloul Pasha and his colleagues were deported; and what were the grounds given for this policy?
Mr. HARMSWORTHZaghloul Pasha summoned a mass meeting to take place on 23rd December. This meeting was prohibited by the High Commissioner in the interest of public order. Zaghloul Pasha, having issued an inflammatory appeal to Egyptians protesting against this order, the High Commissioner ordered him and his principal lieutenants to desist from further participation in politics. As Zaghloul and some of his colleagues refused to obey, they were arrested and deported.
§ Mr. SWANIs it not a fact that the basic reason for the deportation was that the only leader who had the confidence of the people was Zaghloul, and that in his absence they could maintain the present Protectorate?
Mr. HARMSWORTHNo, Sir. I have given the hon. Member a very full reply to the question, and I stand by it.
Mr. TERRELLIs it not a fact that as a result of the High Commissioner's action matters are now quieter?
§ 18. Mr. SWANasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the considerable number of protests against Zaghloul Pasha's arrest received by the Foreign Office and the Prime Minister have been enumerated; if so, how many there were; whether one message from Egyptians was received favouring Zaghloul Pasha's arrest; 283 whether the reconstituted Wafd or Egyptian delegation issued a manifesto declaring that it would not support any Egyptian ministry before his repatriation; and whether he is aware that the two members who did not sign this manifesto resigned and relinquished politics on account of ill-health?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe reply to the first and third parts of the question is in the negative, and to the fourth part in the affirmative. As regards the last part of the question, I am not aware that those Members who did not sign the manifesto have relinquished politics.
§ Mr. SWANIs the Foreign Office aware that Zaghloul is a man 62 years of age, suffering from ill-health, and that his deportation is likely to have a serious effect upon the rest of his years?
§ Mr. SWANWill the hon. Gentleman inquire? And if what I suggest proves to be correct, will Zaghloul be brought back to his native land?