§ 21. Sir K. WOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give the latest information in his possession concerning affairs in Egypt; the number of casualties to date; and whether he can give any account of damage to property and the nature of any of the further steps taken to protect foreign nationals?
§ Mr. DALTONThe High Commissioner reported on the 23rd of July that all was quiet, and no further disturbances have since taken place. The total casualties reported since the 15th of July are police, 279 wounded; others, 26 killed and 204 wounded, including the figures quoted in the reply to the hon. Member for Kidderminster on the 21st of July. The only serious damage to property reported since my right hon. Friend's reply to the right hon. Gentleman on the 23rd of July is the setting fire to the municipal stables at Port Said. In view of the disturbances at these ports His Majesty's Ship "Ramillies" has proceeded to Port Said and His Majesty's Ship "Waterhen" to Suez; His Majesty's Ship "Queen Elizabeth" remains at Alexandria.
§ Sir K. WOODHas the hon. Gentleman received any information as to the meeting of the so-called Parliament yesterday or the day before?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that foreign nationals are being given adequate protection, and have any instructions been given to the British Army in Egypt?
§ Mr. DALTONYes, Sir; we are satisfied that foreign nationals are receiving all the protection that is called for in the circumstances. I am very glad to say—and I hope my satisfaction will be shared by all parties in the House—that it has been considered unnecessary to call upon the British troops in Egypt to take any part in the recent disturbances.
§ 25. Mr. MARJORIBANKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if 17 he can state the number and position of the British military establishment guarding the Suez Canal?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Sanders)I have been asked to reply. The main raison d'etre of the British military establishment in Egypt is this safeguarding of the Suez Canal. Approximately 10,000 troops compose this establishment and their peace stations are Cairo, Alexandria, Ismailia and Port Said.
§ 26. Mr. MARJORIBANKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he has received from, or sent to, Nahas Pasha any further communication?
§ Mr. DALTONNo, Sir.
§ 24. Colonel GRETTONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why he instructed the High Commissioner to inform Nahas Pasha that the British Government holds him responsible, together with the Government of Egypt, for any acts of violence which may be perpetrated against foreign subjects in Egypt?
§ 30. Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the Government took the course of holding the leader of a political party in Egypt jointly responsible with the head of the Government for the protection of the lives and property of foreigners?
§ Mr. DALTONIn view of their ultimate responsibility for the protection of foreign lives and property in Egypt, and the danger to public order which had manifested itself, His Majesty's Government considered it necessary to hold strictly to account the leaders of both parties in the present constitutional conflict in Egypt. His Majesty's Government's communication was intended, by dealing in practical manner with the situation, to make this unmistakably clear.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEAre the Government aware of any precedent, for taking this course, of holding the leader of a party not in office responsible for what happens in his country?
§ Mr. DALTONThere may not be a precedent for the action that we have taken, but that does not prove that the action was not well advised. The person in question is the leader of a large majority in the Egyptian Parliament.
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEWhat do the Government mean by the words "ultimate responsibility"? How do they know what the responsibility in the future may be?
§ Mr. DALTONPerhaps the hon. Gentleman has not understood what I had in mind in using the word "ultimate." The immediate responsibility rests with the Egyptian authorities. If they fail, the ultimate responsibility rests with us.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIs the hon. Gentleman satisfied that Nahas Pasha has given an adequate response?