§ Mr. STANLEY BALDWINMay I ask the Prime Minister if he has any statement to make on Egypt?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs early as 4th June, when the present constitutional crisis in Egypt first showed signs of developing, His Majesty's Government instructed the High Commissioner that his attitude must be one of strict neutrality, though consistently with that position it was left to his discretion to remind both parties to the dispute that we at this end were doing all in our power to maintain the good atmosphere in which the treaty negotiations had terminated. Sir Percy Loraine made statements in this sense both to King Fuad and to Nahas Pasha, who expressed his gratification.
Since the formation of the present Government, Sir Percy Loraine has made it clear that His Majesty's Government intended to adhere to their attitude of neutrality and non-intervention in what appeared to them to be a purely internal issue for the Egyptians themselves to decide. No other attitude was consistent with the declared intention of His Majesty's Government in 1922, and we shall continue to maintain it to the extent compatible with our international responsibilities.
Before the news of the deplorable events in Alexandria had reached London, the High Commissioner had been instructed to make it quite plain that His Majesty's Government did not intend to be used as an instrument for an attack on the Egyptian Constitution. In consequence, they could be no party to an alteration to the electoral law, even if precluded by their Declaration in 1922 from actual intervention in an internal issue of this nature.
In view of yesterday's events, Sir Percy Loraine has been instructed to inform Sidky Pasha that we must hold him responsible for the protection of foreign lives and property in Egypt. Sir Percy 1285 Loraine has also been told to inform Nahas Pasha that internal Egyptian difficulties must be solved without endangering foreign lives and interests, and that we shall hold him equally responsible with the Government if foreign lives and interests are endangered.
In the meantime, in view of the menace to foreign life and property in Alexandria, His Majesty's Government have ordered two ships to proceed towards that port.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHACan the right hon. Gentleman say how many Europeans have lost their lives or have been injured? Further, does not this show how inadvisable it is to enter into any Treaty which will remove our troops from Cairo?
§ The PRIME MINISTERWe are still awaiting definite and official information on the first point. As to troops being removed from Cairo, I am sure the hon. Member will have observed that this trouble took place at Alexandria.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIt might have been at Cairo.
§ Mr. THURTLEIs the Prime Minister aware that the action of His Majesty's Government in sending these two ships to Alexandria is likely to be interpreted by the Egyptian people—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member cannot give an expression of opinion at Question Time.
§ Mr. THURTLEAm I not entitled—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is only asking for an expression of opinion.
§ Mr. THURTLEMay I put this point? Is the Prime Minister aware that the Government, by sending these two ships to Alexandria—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot have expressions of opinion at Question Time.
§ Mr. THURTLEI am not asking for an expression of opinion.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is asking the Prime Minister whether he is 1286 aware of the interpretation which is likely to be placed on certain things.
§ Mr. THURTLEMay I submit that I am not asking for an expression of opinion. I am asking for an elucidation of Government policy. May I ask the Prime Minister whether the Government in sending two warships to Alexandria, have taken into consideration the fact that such action is calculated—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have told the hon. Member that we cannot have expressions of opinion at Question Time.
§ Mr. MILLSFurther to that point of Order. May I ask the Prime Minister if he is aware that the trouble at present taking place in Alexandria is a direct result—
§ Mr. THURTLEOn a point of Order. I do not wish to give an expression of opinion or to ask for an expression of opinion, but may I ask whether it is the intention of the Government to support by armed force a King who is flouting Parliamentary authority?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay I draw your attention very respectfully to the question of the hon. Member for Devonport (Mr. Hore-Belisha) with regard to troops in Egypt, and ask you whether questions of that kind are helpful at the present time?