HC Deb 05 March 1930 vol 236 cc409-11
11. Sir GEORGE HAMILTON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make inquiries as to why the Minister of Education in Egypt has issued orders for the dismissal of the British staff and personnel and replacement by French personnel?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

The High Commissioner in Cairo, whom I have consulted by telegraph, has reported that nothing is known of the alleged orders by the Minister of Education.

Sir W. DAVISON

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that a considerable number of British officers have received notice to terminate their engagements; and, if he is not aware of it, will he pursue his inquiries in this regard?

12. Sir G. HAMILTON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received information of the dismissal of Mr. Tatton Brown, a Britisher of 30 years' service, from his position as Director of Customs at Alexandria and his replacement by an Egyptian; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

12. Mr. HENDERSON

Mr. Tatton Brown has not been dismissed, but has been promoted to the post of Government Commissioner, which has been created under the new Customs Decree, at a higher salary than he received as Director-General of Customs. The duties of the latter post are being fulfilled by the Egyptian sub-Director-General of Customs. These arrangements do not call for any action on my part.

13. Sir G. HAMILTON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will inquire why the present British adviser of ports and lights in Egypt has been ordered to dismiss the British personnel engaged in that Department?

Mr. HENDERSON

I understand that the contracts of four British officials employed by the Ports and Lights Administration out of nine which expire on or before the 31st May next have not been renewed. The Egyptian authorities consider that the time has come to impose a fuller degree of responsibility upon Egyptians who for a number of years have worked under the officials in question in a subordinate capacty.

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

On a point of Order. Am I not right in saying that you have ruled on previous occasions that hon. Members are responsible for the accuracy of statements that appear in their questions; and may I draw your attention to the questions that have been asked by the hon. Baronet (Sir G. Hamilton)?

Sir G. HAMILTON

On that point of Order. May I ask whether the hon. and gallant Member is not famous in this House for asking most inaccurate questions?

Mr. SPEAKER

Of course, it is a well-known Rule that hon. Members must make themselves responsible for statements that they make, but that does not always imply that they are accurate.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

May I ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether it is not a fact that during eleven years I have never been rebuked by the Chair for any inaccuracy of this sort?