§ 40. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the health of Zaghloul Pasha is suffering on account of the climate of the Seychelles; that a medical report to this effect has been submitted to His Majesty King Fouad; and that there is great popular anxiety on this matter in Egypt; whether His Majesty's Government have considered the results of the possible death of Zaghloul Pasha in exile; and what steps they propose to take in the matter?
§ Earl WINTERTON (for Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. I understand that a number of petitions for submission to King Fouad are being organised by the opponents of the present Government. As regards the last two parts of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement of the Leader of the House on the 14th March.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHas the Noble Lord now received further information on this matter?
§ Earl WINTERTONNo, but realising the interest taken by the hon. and gallant Gentleman and other hon. Gentlemen opposite in the subject, I have, as temporarily representing the Foreign Office, consulted the Foreign Office on the subject, and they are doing all they can to expedite inquiries, but I have no reason to suppose that the hon. Members' apprehensions as to Zaghloul Pasha's health are well founded.
§ Mr. N. MACLEANCannot a medical report be obtained from that place where Zaghloul Pasha is being detained?
§ Earl WINTERTONAs I say, I am doing all I can to expedite the inquiries.
51. Major BARNESasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any Egyptians are detained by the British Government in the Seychelles Islands and, if so, who they are; whether they are detained there for any offences and, if so, what is the nature of the offences; if it is intended to bring them to trial and, if so, when; and whether any protests have been received from the Gov- 1790 ernment of Egypt against the action of the British Government in respect of these Egyptians?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe following Egyptians
are at present detained at the instance of His Majesty's Government in the Seychelles Islands by the Government of that Colony, in accordance with the provisions of the "Seychelles Ordinance, No. 1, of 1922." As to the reasons for their detention, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar question by the hon. Member for Barnard Castle (Mr. Swan) on 9th February, and to the statement made by the Leader of the House on 14th March last. The reply to the third and fourth parts of the question is in the negative.
- Saad Pasha Zaghloul,
- Fathalla Pasha Barakat,
- Atif Bey Barakat,
- Sinnot Bey Hanna,
- Mustapha Bey el Nahas and
- William Makram Obeid Effendi
§ Captain W. BENNDid not the Royal Proclamation announce to the Egyptian people that they would enjoy the free exercise of their privileges and rights?
§ 54. Mr. MILLSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to whom the Governor of the Seychelles reports on the health of Zaghloul Pasha and his colleagues; what was the date of the most recent report; and what has been contained in all the reports received to date?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe reports on the health of Zaghloul Pasha and his colleagues which, as I informed the hon. Member for Barnard Castle (Mr. Swan) on 1st May, the Governor of the Seychelles had been asked to make, will be addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. No report has yet been received. The last part of the question does not therefore arise.