HC Deb 02 July 1952 vol 503 cc411-2
15. Mr. Mott-Radclyffe

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any compensation has yet been paid by the Egyptian Government in respect of loss of life, loss of employment and damage to property, sustained by British subjects in Cairo during the riots which took place last January.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Nutting)

A number of British firms who suffered damage during the Cairo riots have received loans from the Egyptian Government. These loans are subject to the final assessment of damage by the Egyptian courts and do not represent compensation. Otherwise the position remains similar to that outlined in the answer given by my right hon. and learned Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Antrim, South (Sir D. Savory) on 7th May. We have since then made further representations on these points to the former Egyptian Government and will continue to do so to the new Government.

Mr. Mott-Radclyffe

Does my hon. Friend realise that there is a very big feeling on this issue not only among the relatives of those concerned but also among a much wider public, and will he state what further steps Her Majesty's Government intend to take to enforce the payment of compensation for these very dastardly outrages?

Mr. Nutting

We cannot enforce compensation from another Government, but I assure my hon. Friend that we will continue to make representations to the new Egyptian Government. We have already put in a statement of claim in respect of material damage done during the riots, and, in addition, Her Majesty's Embassy in Cairo have asked for payments of £200,000 and 100,000 Canadian dollars to the dependents of those killed and injured during the raids. We shall continue to press those claims.

Mr. Ernest Davies

Would the Joint Under-Secretary inform his hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury of the fact that we cannot enforce compensation because he took a very different view in regard to Albania?

Sir D. Savory

Has my hon. Friend taken no further action with regard to obtaining compensation for those civil servants who have been dismissed in breach of contract and are now in this country living in very unfortunate and depressing circumstances?

Mr. Nutting

A certain amount of compensation has been paid to those people who were employed by the Egyptian Government, namely, three months salary in lieu of notice, but we do not consider that that compensation has been adequate and we are still pressing their case. With regard to teachers employed in private schools—not Government schools—legal action has already been started, and Her Majesty's Embassy will give all the necessary help.