§ 11. Mr. MILLSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the election of a Parliament in Egypt is to take place; whether the Act of Indemnity will await the election; and whether martial law has meanwhile been suspended in regard to the free exercise of the political rights of Egyptians?
Mr. HARMSWORTHAs regards the first part of the question, I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member for Barnard Castle on this subject on 22nd May. In reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle East on 8th May, the constitutional position with regard to the passing of an Act of Indemnity was defined at some length. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Barnard Castle on 27th March.
§ 12. Mr. MILLSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the proclamation of martial law in Egypt of the. 2nd November, 1914, remains valid now that that country has become by the British declaration of 15th March, 1922, an independent sovereign State?
§ Mr. MILLSWill the Under-Secretary inform the House as to the legality of the action of the British Commander-in-Chief, in view of the fact that Egypt is supposed to have been declared a sovereign State?