HC Deb 29 July 1946 vol 426 cc493-4
5. Mr. Wilkes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under what conditions and surveillance the ex-Mufti, who is classified as a war criminal, is today living in Egypt.

Mr. Noel-Baker

In answer to the right hon. Member for West Bristol (Mr. Stanley) on 2nd July, the Prime Minister said that negotiations about the Mufti were proceeding with the Egyptian Government. I regret that I cannot yet add anything to that reply. My right hon. Friend is mistaken in thinking that the ex-Mufti is classified as a war criminal, since, as my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs explained in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Cardiff (Mr. G. Thomas) on 15th April, he is not an enemy national, nor a person who served in the enemy forces.

Mr. Wilkes

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the ex-Mufti has been officially listed as a war criminal by the Yugoslav Government, and that in a speech made to the Egyptian Senate, on 15th July, which was fully reported in "The Times" on 16th July, the Egyptian Premier stated that no restrictions were to be placed either on the political activities or movements of the Mufti in Egypt? Has my right hon. Friend seen that speech, and has he taken any action?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Negotiations with the Egyptian Government are going on, and I cannot add to what I have said, except that our grievances against the ex-Mufti are more serious than those of Yugoslavia.

Mr. Pickthorn

In the vocabulary of the Foreign Office, is anybody a war or other kind of criminal before he has been tried? Could I have an answer to that?

Mr. Noel-Baker

I think that in everybody's vocabulary certain people are listed as war criminals, and are then brought up for trial.

Mr. Orbach

Is there any truth in Press reports this morning to the effect that the ex-Mufti has been invited by the Palestine Administration to Palestine?

Mr. Noel-Baker

There is no truth in it whatever.

Mr. John Lewis

Is it not a fact that the ex-Mufti did organise Arab deserters into an S.S. Waffen Korps, to fight against this country during the war?

Mr. Stokes

What about "Uncle Joe"?

Mr. Noel-Baker

There is no doubt the Mufti did what he could during the war to damage British interests.

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