§ 19. Mr. Molsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now make a statement regarding the murder, by an Egyptian mob, of two British soldiers in Alexandria on 4th March; and whether the Egyptian Government have tendered an apology and offered compensation to the murdered men's dependants.
Mr. McNeilAs indicated in the statement which I made on 3rd June, His Majesty's Government are anxious to avoid a public argument with the Egyptian Prime Minister about these regrettable events. The Egyptian Prime Minister has, however, re-affirmed in writing that the Egyptian Government are unable to accept responsibility for the deaths of the two military policemen concerned. His Majesty's Ambassador in Cairo has therefore been authorised to address a further note to the Egyptian Prime Minister refuting all suggestions that the conduct of the deceased men was in any way blameworthy and proposing that our claim for compensation on their behalf should be referred to arbitration.