HC Deb 19 July 1922 vol 156 cc2049-50
7. Lieut.-Colonel JAMES

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information as to the attempted assassination of Colonel Piggott, Army Pay Department, in Cairo; whether any of the perpetrators of this outrage have been captured; whether the attention of the Egyptian Government has been drawn to the circumstances that in every recent instance of an outrage of this kind upon British subjects the perpetrator has been suffered to escape: and whether the Egyptian Government has been informed that the British Government cannot countenance the indefinite repetition of such outrages?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

Colonel Piggott, of the Army Pay Corps, was shot at 8.30 a.m. on 15th July, twice in the lungs by one of two effendis, who were apparently lying in wait for Mm near the British Consulate in Cairo. I regret to say that both miscreants escaped. The answer to the remainder of the question is in the affirmative.

Captain Viscount CURZON

Is it not a fact that there were two Egyptian policemen, one on each side, within a hundred yards of where this officer was shot, and yet the perpetrators got away? How does the hon. Gentleman explain that?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I do not know where my Noble Friend obtained that information. It has not reached me.

Viscount CURZON

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries to see whether it be correct, and, if so, take action?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

Yes.

Mr. G. MURRAY

Is the same sort of inquiry being conducted into the murder of this officer as is being conducted in the former case? Is His Majesty's Government satisfied with the form of inquiry that is being conducted, in view of the fact that no discoveries are ever made as to the persons who are responsible for these outrages?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I have no doubt the Egyptian Government is taking every possible step to discover the perpetrators, and His Majesty's Government has very strongly urged the Egyptian Government to take every possible measure.

Mr. MURRAY

Does the hon. Gentleman not remember that ho informed the House a week ago that an inquiry was being conducted, with such assistance as might be necessary from the military authorities, and will he not take steps to strengthen the Court of Inquiry in consultation and co-operation with the Egyptian Government, so that we can get something out of it?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I can assure my hon. Friend that Lord Allenby, on his part, is doing his best to assist in bringing the offenders to justice.