HC Deb 12 November 1947 vol 444 cc368-9
22. Sir Henry Morris-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the circular letter sent to the hon. Member for Denbigh and signed by the President of the Egyptian Feminist Union (a copy of which letter has been sent to him) accusing the British Army of occupation in Egypt of being responsible for the origin and dissemination of cholera in Egypt; and what steps he is taking to mitigate the effect of such propaganda on our relations with Egypt and other countries.

Mr. Bevin

Yes, Sir. This extremist attack is unworthy of a reply. It will only be believed by those who are already hopelessly prejudiced against us.

Sir H. Morris-Jones

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he cannot dismiss the matter quite so peremptorily as all that? This lady is not an irresponsible person in Egypt, and surely we cannot allow these statements to pass without taking steps to contradict them. Will the right hon. Gentleman go into this matter again and see what he can do about it?

Mr. Bevin

I announced last week what we had done for Egypt in this connection. I gave a very full reply. The thanks of the Egyptian Government have been conveyed to me personally by the Ambassador. I cannot always be answering jaundiced people who seek to attack His Majesty's Government in Great Britain.

Mr. Sorensen

With regard to the statements that my right hon. Friend made last week concerning the amount of assistance we have given, could he say whether that assistance is to continue?

Mr. Bevin

Yes, Sir, I can add to the information that I gave last week. In addition to the vaccine, we have made over 60 ambulances available. Twelve are free, 25 are on loan, and 25 have been sold on favourable terms. We have also made available the expert assistance of Sir J. Taylor, the distinguished cholera expert and Dr. Bruce White, the leading bactereologist who is at present carrying out research in Egypt. Their knowledge and research are at the disposal of the Egyptian authorities.

Sir Frank Sanderson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as recently as last Thursday the Egyptian Ambassador stated in a speech, at which the Minister for Economic Affairs and other Ministers and Members of Parliament were present, that he could not express too ardently his appreciation of the great assistance which this country has given to Egypt during this terrible scourge from which Egypt is suffering?