HC Deb 09 May 1923 vol 163 cc2321-3
8. Mr. LAWSON

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Dr. Mahgoub Sabet, Maitre Mahmoud Bassyouni, Hassan Yessin, and others have been arrested, and are now confined without charge or trial at Al Maharik, which is a lonely and unhealthy place formerly used for the detention of desperate criminals only; and for what reason they are subjected to this treatment?

Mr. McNEILL

All that I know of the three persons mentioned by the hon. Member is that they, together with three other Egyptian agitators, after being arrested in Cairo, were removed to Upper Egypt on 26th February.

9. Mr. MOREL

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Sheikh Mustapha Khayyati has been, during the last eight months, arrested several times in Cairo and imprisoned without charge or trial; whether he is at this moment in prison; and on what grounds he is being so detained?

Mr. McNEILL

As regards the first part of the question, I am aware that Sheikh Mustapha Khayyati has twice been arrested in the course of the last eight months, but I have no information as regards the remainder of the question.

10. Mr. MOREL

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Fakry Abdul Noor Bey, a member of the Wafd, Egyptian Delegation, was arrested and imprisoned without charge or trial in August, 1922; that he was released early this year and rearrested with others of the Wafd in March; that he was kept in prison when the others were released shortly afterwards; and what is the reason for this detention of an untried man?

Mr. McNEILL

My only information regarding this individual is that he was arrested on 14th August, 1922, and released on 3rd February of this year. He was rearrested on 5th March, in company with five other members of the Wafd, for activities of a nature to endanger public order and security. I have no information regarding the remainder of the question, beyond that four of the above-mentioned members of the Wafd were released in April.

Mr. MOREL

Is it not possible, seeing that there are British judges in Egyptian Criminal Courts, that these men should be charged and tried by those Courts in order to do away with the system of imprisoning men without trial for many months?

Mr. McNEILL

Of course, that is a very difficult question, and perhaps the hon. Member will put it on the Paper.