§ 1. Sir JOHN WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what the position is regarding the question of the payment of the interest and sinking fund on the Egyptian consolidated fund in gold; whether negotiations are now taking place or if some have been concluded; and, if so, with what result?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)The position is that the Egyptian Mixed Court of First Instance has ruled that the Egyptian Government is liable as a matter of strict law to pay the coupons in gold. But the judgment, against which 314 an appeal has been entered, contained a passage to the effect that there were important considerations outside strict legality Which had been put forward in the case, but which were matters which could only be considered by the Egyptian Government in conjunction with those Powers whose consent was necessary for any modification of the provisions relating to the service of the Egyptian Public Debt. This suggestion is in accordance with the view held by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, and upon their initiative conversations have recently been begun in London with, in the first instance, representatives of the French, Italian and Egyptian Governments.
§ Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNEDo we understand that these negotiations are now going on?
§ Sir J. SIMONYes, Sir.
§ 2 and 3. Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what information he has regarding the anti-missionary agitation in Cairo; and what action has been taken to counteract the propaganda now being spread against the Christian missions;
(2) What steps His Majesty's Government are taking to inquire into the allegation that a Moslem girl pupil at a mission school at Port Said was beaten to force her to accept Christianity?
§ Sir J. SIMONI understand that a Moslem girl pupil at a mission school in Port Said was beaten by one of the teachers by way of punishment for rudeness and disobedience, but that there is no ground for the allegation made in certain quarters that this disciplinary action was an attempt to force the girl to accept Christianity. The Acting High Commissioner has been in close touch with the Egyptian authorities since the incident occurred, and I have authorised him to explore with them the possibilities of establishing some kind of central supervision over certain aspects of missionary activities in Egypt. The Inter-Mission Board are also being consulted.
§ Sir J. WARDLAW-M1LNEWill it be possible for the Acting High Commissioner to suggest some means of making public the fact that these allegations to which he has referred have no foundation in truth?
§ Sir J. SIMONI agree that that is an important consideration, and I shall be glad to see what can be done.