§ 5. Major Wallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many British citizens originally employed by the British forces in the Canal Zone have been assisted in leaving Egypt; how many have been employed by the base contractors; and how many are now unemployed.
§ Lord John HopeI am advised that 76 British subjects originally employed by the British forces in the Canal Zone have been assisted to leave Egypt. Some further applications for such assistance are under consideration. Three hundred and thirty have been given employment by the contractors in the Canal Base. Seventy-six are known to be unemployed.
§ Major WallWill my hon. Friend undertake to keep his eye on the situation, because it may well be that these British subjects may be forced to choose between remaining unemployed and becoming Egyptian nationals?
§ Lord John HopeYes, Sir. We shall certainly watch the situation.
§ Mr. F. Noel-BakerWill the hon. Gentleman look into the case of some of these men, many of them Maltese, Cypriots and others, who have given loyal service to us for many years and who 1366 are now left apparently completely abandoned? Will the hon. Gentleman have another look at the whole question?
§ Lord John HopeCertainly, if the hon. Gentleman will give me details of what he is thinking of.