§ 37. Mr. T. JOHNSTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if Osman Digna has been a close prisoner for over 22 years; if he is now over 100 years old; and, if so, will he advise the cancellation of sentence and his release so that the old man may be taken care of by his tribe and end his days in peace?
§ Mr. McNEILLOsman Digna, whose age is not known, has been under detention since 1900 in conditions of comfort with which I believe he is quite content, and which there seems no necessity, therefore, to change.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that these conditions of comfort mean solitary confinement, guarded night and day by a posse of four or six Egyptian police, and does he not think 26 that it would add to the name of Great Britain throughout the world if the hon. Gentleman would recommend clemency in this case?
§ Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEWill the hon. Gentleman make sure that this man is ready to go back to his own tribe, and that the tribe will not promptly kill him if he does go back?
§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMESIs it not a fact that the hon. Member for Stirling (Mr. Johnston) has been misinformed?
§ Mr. McNEILLI am convinced that the hon. Gentleman is quite misinformed as to the conditions under which this old gentleman is under detention. As to the question of his release, I have very much doubt whether there are not a good many people in Egypt who would not agree with the hon. Gentleman that this old gentleman should end his days in peace.
Mr. DOYLEIf the old gentleman has already lived to 100 years of age under the tender care of the British Government, what is the necessity to change the position?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONDoes the hon. Gentleman state it to be a fact that Osman Digna is not in solitary confinement and is guarded by Egyptian police at Wady Halfa?
§ Mr. McNEILLI have already stated that I could not pledge myself to a positive statement, but all my information does not confirm that.
§ Mr. JOHNSTONrose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must put any further points on the Paper.