§ 21. Sir JOHN MELLORasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many officers, non-commissioned officers, and constables of British nationality serving in the police forces of Cairo, Alexandria, Port Said and Suez will have their services terminated during the course of the five years following ratification of the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty in consequence of the provisions annexed to the treaty; whether they will be entitled to pensions from the Egyptian Government; and, if not, what steps do His Majesty's Government propose to take to obtain compensation from the Egyptian. 14 Government for the termination of their services?
§ Mr. EDENUnder the terms of the Treaty of Friendship and Alliance with Egypt, 49 officers and 219 constables of British nationality now serving in the Egyptian City Police will have their services terminated during the course of the five years following the ratification of the treaty. Some of the officers and constables concerned have already received compensation and are entitled to receive a pension from the Egyptian Government, while others who have not received compensation are entitled to receive a pension. I understand that the Egyptian Government propose to grant compensation to these' officers and constables who are not included in the above categories, and I have no doubt that, in assessing this compensation, the Egyptian Government will, once again, give evidence of the generous spirit which has always characterised their treatment of British officials. I need hardly assure my hon. Friend that His Majesty's Government have been giving and will continue to give this important matter their most active and sympathetic attention.
§ Sir J. MELLORWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his answer, may I ask him whether he will consult the Secretary of State for the Colonies to see whether these men could be absorbed in due course into British forces in our colonies and mandated territories?