§ 2. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why British consular representatives in Port Said allowed the troopship "Empire Fowey" to leave Port Said without a full load of passengers on or about 13th November when there were British subjects waiting to leave Egypt who had applied for assistance.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Douglas Dodds-Parker)On 13th November there were very few British subjects wishing at that moment to leave Port Said. The majority of British subjects had expressed a desire to leave only if and when the Allied Forces withdrew. Some passengers who were ready to leave were despatched by the sea transport officer. A few whose final destination had not been decided on 13th November have since been evacuated.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there were British citizens, some of whom were Maltese, who had applied to leave and go to the United Kingdom? There were, I am told, more than a hundred places on this ship unfilled. How was it that these citizens who had applied and who wished to leave Egypt because of the tension were not given places on the ship?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerThe hon. Gentleman is quite correct. There were a few non-repatriable Maltese who were already anxious to leave by 13th November, and while there were places on the troopship it was not known to Her Majesty's Consul where the Maltese could be accommodated if they were evacuated, as a 1236 decision had not been come to at that time. Her Majesty's Consul rightly declined to arrange their evacuation at that stage. They have since been given all facilities for evacuation.
§ Mr. SwinglerWere not these Maltese in possession of British passports, and were they not British subjects? Had they not applied to go to the United Kingdom? Why were they not afforded facilities to do so? Why were they denied the right to board the ship? Why were they not entitled, as British subjects, to the same assistance as citizens of United Kingdom origin?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerBecause, as has been explained before, a final decision as to their destination had not been arrived at. It was only between 13th November and 30th November that that decision was arrived at. All Maltese who were not going to be repatriated to Malta have been or are being brought to this country.
§ 3. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why British consular representatives in Port Said, in dealing with applications for assistance, have been discriminating between British subjects of United Kingdom origin and British subjects of Maltese origin.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerHer Majesty's Consul in Port Said has not discriminated between British subjects of United Kingdom origin and British subjects of Maltese origin either as regards the provision of relief or as regards evacuation from Port Said. All British subjects of Maltese origin who wished to leave Port Said have in fact been evacuated and—except for a few who were admitted to Malta—brought to the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. SwinglerIs the hon. Gentleman aware that that reply is inaccurate, and that his hon. Friend the Joint Under-Secretary has virtually admitted, in a letter to me a week ago, that there was discrimination? Is it not a fact that there were Maltese, who are British subjects, who had applied to go to the United Kingdom and were refused the right to board a ship that was leaving for the United Kingdom, whereas citizens of United Kingdom origin were given facilities and assistance to do so? Was that not discrimination?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerNo, Sir, I cannot accept that. As I have pointed out, arrangements were made where possible to repatriate Maltese, and others, to their home of origin. If they were not repatriable, in this instance to Malta, they have been brought to the United Kingdom.
§ 4. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what instructions were sent to British consular representatives in Port Said about granting assistance to British subjects who wished to leave Egypt after the commencement of the bombing of Egyptian airfields.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerThe Foreign Office was unable to communicate with Her Majesty's Consul in Port Said between 31st October, before there was any bombing of Egyptian airfields, and the allied occupation of Port Said, after which time there was no urgent necessity for British subjects to leave that part of Egypt. On 1st December, by the time it was clear that the Allied Forces would withdraw from Port Said, and that therefore the evacuation of British subjetcs would be desirable, Her Majesty's Consul was authorised to give any necessary assistance to all British subjects who wished to leave Port Said. All British subjects who wished to leave were, in fact, transported from Port Said to Cyprus on 11th December, and the majority of them have now been brought from Cyprus to the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. SwinglerDoes not the hon. Gentleman regard it as very wrong that British citizens—I have quoted a case to his Department—who were compelled to leave Egypt at this point, owing to the tension, without any resources whatsoever, and who had to leave their possessions to come to this country, should within 48 hours of arrival in this country —and when they were destitute and in distress—be presented with a bill for £65 for their passage on the ship? Was not that a very bad piece of diplomacy and a disgraceful act on the part of the authorities concerned?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerI cannot accept that—
§ Mr. SwinglerBut I have quoted a case.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerAll arrangements possible have been made by the Home Secretary and the Anglo-Egyptian Aid Society to help these people as they arrived.
§ Mr. WiggIs it not a fact that British subjects in Egypt who want protection will conceal the fact that they are British subjects?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattWill my hon. Friend realise that this matter is disturbing the public conscience of this country? Will he do all in his power to impress on the Home Secretary and other authorities responsible that these British nationals should be properly looked after in this country now that they are here?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerI can assure the House that my right hon. and learned Friend is doing what is required, as he himself has announced to the House.
§ 14. Miss Vickersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will consider allocating a sum of money to the Swiss Government for the relief, through the Swiss Legation in Cairo, of the many British subjects still living in Egypt.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerThe Swiss special representative in Egypt has already been given authority to make relief payments to any British subjects there who need them. Funds for this purpose are remitted by Her Majesty's Government to the Swiss Government as required. It would not be practicable to allocate a set sum for the purpose.
§ Miss VickersI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Will he consider giving them extra money for extra personnel, and also empowering them to rent sonic accommodation where the British subjects who do not wish to live in Egypt can remain under some form of protection?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerWe are in contact with the Swiss authorities on these points the whole time. I will certainly look into the suggestions which my hon. Friend has made.
§ 15. Mrs. Castleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements are being made for the speedy evacuation of British civilians from Egypt.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerThe Swiss special representative in Egypt has been instructed, and has been given the necessary funds, to arrange for the evacuation of British civilians in Egypt who wish to return to their native countries. He has been asked to report whether scheduled sea and air services are now sufficient to remove, without undue delay, all British subjects who wish to leave. If they are not, Her Majesty's Government will endeavour to arrange extra transport.
§ Mrs. CastleIs the Minister aware that I have sent his Department a letter which I received from a constituent just back from Egypt, who points out that the transport and financial difficulties have not been solved? I am wondering what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to let British civilians in Egypt—many of whom are under house confinement—know that the services of the Swiss Government are available, and to make sure that they can get in touch with the Swiss authorities.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerWe have done all that has been possible to bring these points to the attention of British subjects in Egypt. There have been reports that Egyptians have not been delivering mail to British subjects in that country. I shall willingly look into all the points raised in the letter and let the hon. Lady have answers as soon as possible.