HC Deb 10 May 1944 vol 399 cc1876-7
2. Sir John Mellor

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has obtained assurances that the exclusive jurisdiction of the mixed courts to try British subjects in Egypt for all offences punishable by law in accordance with the Treaty of Montreux will be re-established as soon as hostilities cease.

Mr. Eden

The Egyptian Government were not asked to give any assurances of this kind. On the outbreak of war, for reasons of security and in fulfilment of their obligations under Article 7 of the Treaty of Alliance, they established martial law and, by various proclamations, gave military courts exclusive jurisdiction over certain offences. I have no reason to doubt that, when the emergency which was the reason for the creation of this military jurisdiction ceases to exist, the Egyptian Government will automatically repeal all these provisions. The exclusive criminal jurisdiction of the Mixed Courts over British subjects until 1949, as provided for by the Montreux Convention, will thus be restored.

Sir J. Mellor

Is it distinctly understood between the British and Egyptian Governments, that the incursion of the Egyptian military tribunals into the jurisdiction of the Mixed Courts is purely a war-time expedient?

Mr. Eden

Yes, Sir. I think that that emerges from the answer I have just given.