§ 6. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to make any statement about the situation in Egypt; and if he can state when it is proposed to summon the Egyptian Parliament to meet again?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Elland (Mr. Robinson) yesterday. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the negative.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes the Under-Secretary not recognise some responsibility, in view of our particular position in Egypt, for the country being governed without a Constitution and without a Parliament, and when will the time come for us to give advice in that sense?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThe Foreign Secretary explained in this House some time ago that our policy is not to interfere in purely Egyptian affairs.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYThen why did we send warships on three occasions when we objected to certain domestic legislation, and now the whole power of Parliament can be dissolved without our advice?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAre not foreign interests in danger now owing to the absence of constitutional Government?
§ 14. Mr. PONSONBYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the majority of members of the Egyptian Parliament are meeting together on the 17th instant, and that steps are being taken to prevent such an Assembly; and whether, seeing that such steps are calculated to lead to disorder in Cairo, His Majesty's Government will intervene in the matter?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI understand that a resolution to hold a further meeting on the third Saturday in November was voted by certain former Senators and Deputies at the private residence of an ex-Deputy on the 28th July. I am unaware whether the Egyptian Government are taking steps to prevent it. With regard to the latter part of the question, His Majesty's Government had no cause to intervene in the case of the meeting on the 28th July, and they see no reason for intervention now.
§ Mr. PONSONBYHas not the right hon. Gentleman been fully informed as to the course of events, through our representatives in Cairo?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDo not our representatives in Cairo advise the right hon. Gentleman when it will be possible for a Constitution in Egypt to be observed and Parliament summoned?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI have already pointed out that it is not our business to interfere in purely Egyptian affairs.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWhile we are responsible for the safety 856 of foreigners, how can we expect that safety to be assured when the Constitution is abrogated?