HC Deb 07 May 1952 vol 500 cc354-5
5. Professor Sir Douglas Savory

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received a satisfactory reply from the Egyptian Government with regard to the payment of compensation to the next of kin of British subject who were killed in the recent riots in Cairo; how far damages have been awarded for the destruction of British property; and whether British subjects illegally dismissed from the Civil Service, in spite of their contracts, have received adequate compensation for loss of office.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

In spite of repeated representations to the Egyptian Government, compensation has not yet been paid either to the dependants of those who lost their lives or to those who suffered personal injury or damage to their property during the riots. Three months' salary in lieu of notice has been paid to the dismissed officials, but payment has not been made of allowances for the same period nor of compensation for loss of employment on an adequate scale, in view of the terms on which they were engaged. We therefore renewed our representations on all these points as recently as 1st May.

Sir D. Savory

In view of the fact that, according to reliable correspondents in Cairo, deliberate incitement by the police took place in the murders at the Turf Club, when youths were armed with weapons with which these murders were carried out, has the right hon. and learned Gentleman in his negotiations with the Egyptian Government insisted that adequate compensation must be paid to the next of kin?

Mr. Lloyd

I think one factor to be borne in mind is that there is now a different Government in Egypt than there was at the time that these incidents took place. We have made strong representations with regard to this matter, and I think that for the moment the matter had better lie there.