HC Deb 17 February 1954 vol 523 cc1960-3
17 and 19. Mr. Patrick Maitland

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether the Egyptian Government have yet investigated, or agreed to investigate, all outrages against British persons and property in the Suez Canal Zone which have occurred since 1st January, 1953; what has been the result of such investigations; what punishment the culprits have received; and what apologies and reparations have been offered;

(2) what, to the last convenient date since 1st January, 1953, is the total number of outrages against British persons and property in the Suez Canal Zone; how many British subjects have been injured in them; and how many have died of their wounds.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

The total number of such incidents in the period from 1st January, 1953, to 11th February, 1954, is 296; the majority of these were thefts or cable-cutting. With regard to attacks on British subjects, 14 British subjects were killed or died of wounds, and 31 were injured.

The main channel of communication regarding details of incidents is the direct one between the British military authorities and the Egyptian authorities in the Canal Zone, for which purpose special liaison officers are maintained on both sides. The practice of the Egyptian authorities is to open formal investigations into incidents reported to them. The results of these investigations have been very disappointing.

In some minor cases, such as burglaries, the police have succeeded in recovering some of the stolen property. In serious cases, no worth-while results have been achieved by the Egyptian police investigations; no formal apologies or reparations have been offered by the Egyptian Government.

Mr. Maitland

Would my right hon. and learned Friend not agree that this represents the worsening of an already deplorable situation. Does not the tally grow darker, and how much longer must the British public endure the rôle of submission and tread the path of humiliation?

Mr. Lloyd

I think that a certain amount of patience has to be shown in attempting to achieve an agreement on honourable terms, but I have never sought to conceal from the House that this typeof incident does make it much more difficult to reach an honourable agreement.

Mr. Maitland

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman not realise that a policy of firmness designed to re-establish the good name and respect of our country will meet with overwhelming support of the people of Great Britain?

Mr. Lloyd

I do not agree for one moment that a policy of agreeing to the signing of an agreement on honourable terms is not a policy of firmness.

Sir R. Acland

Does not the Minister think that the best way to end this very regrettable state of affairs is to make the quickest possible agreement on such terms as can reasonably be had, and to call in the good offices of the Opposition in order to handle the little group of rebels who are trying to sabotage these negotiations?

Mr. Lloyd

I do not think that we can make an agreement on any terms. The terms have to be honourable terms, and this type of incident does make that objective more difficult.

Captain Waterhouse

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that in the years immediately following the first war and immediately preceding the murder of the Sirdar, Sir Lee Stack, there were 29 murders and attempted murders in Egypt, and that as a result of the firm policy which started from that time onwards, tranquillity was restored and within a few years an eminently satisfactory agreement was signed?

Mr. Lloyd

I am aware of the facts to which my right hon. and gallant Friend refers.

Mr. Grimond

Will the Minister of State continue his efforts to get an agreement with Egypt on this matter which is greatly to the advantage of both countries, but will he also make it clear, as I think he has done, to General Neguib, that there is a public opinion in this country which greatly resents these incidents, which certainly do not make the attainment of an agreement any easier?

Mr. Lloyd

I quite agree with the hon. Member.

Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

Could we not allow our troops a little more freedom to fire off some more mortar bombs in the direction of this indiscriminate night firing, which has consistently been going on against our men?

Mr. Lloyd

The steps to be taken for the security of our troops lie within the power of the Commander-in-Chief on the spot.

Mr. Younger

Does the Minister of of State agree that when outrages have a political cause, as is clearly the case in this instance, and as was the case in the past in Ireland and in Israel and on many other occasions, the remedy must be a political question and not merely blind military firmness?

Mr. Lloyd

I do not think that all these crimes are political. Very many of them are simply plain thuggery. But we have a legitimate cause for complaint in that we do not think the Egyptian Government have taken the necessary steps to ensure law and order.