§ 77. Mr. MILLSasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Elwy El Gazzar Bey, a member of the Legislative Assembly, issued 1,500 invitations to princes and representative people from all over Egypt to attend a meeting in his country residence at Shebin-el-Kom, Mennfeya Province, on the 21st April last, where members of the Wafd were to speak on the present situation in Egypt; that the meeting was prohibited that day, although it was to he indoors, and although there is no law prohibiting indoor meetings; that means of preventing the arrival of the people from other parts of Egypt were adopted, such as surrounding the residence by 96 officers and men and the occupation of all the roads leading to the residence by the Sudanese Camel Corps; that this siege lasted from 6 until 9.45 p.m., and all the bridges in Kalybeya and Mennfeya Provinces were opened all day to prevent people travelling; and whether such measures were carried out under martial law?
Mr. HARMSWORTHI have no information as to the nature of the measures taken by the Egyptian Government to prohibit this meeting. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon, Member for Barnard Castle on 10th May.