HC Deb 20 November 1957 vol 578 cc381-4
31. Mr. H. Fraser

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that ex-gratia loans have now been made against sequestrated assets to refugees from Egypt, and further, that the British Government has asked the Anglo-Egyptian Resettlement Board to give relief in cases of distress to the ex-Egyptian officials expelled in 1951, Her Majesty's Government will now consider extending this parity of esteem, as more than six years have elapsed and as the claims of these officials continue to be pressed with the Egyptian Government, by the granting of ex-gratia loans to them against such claims.

40. Mr. Dance

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider granting ex-gratia loans to those former British officials of the Egyptian Government who were expelled in 1951.

42. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action has been taken by Her Majesty's Government to give financial or other assistance to British subjects who were formerly employed by the Egyptian Government and were dismissed by them in 1951; and if he will make a statement.

56. Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the unsatisfactory position in regard to the claims of British officials dismissed by the Egyptian Government in 1951; and what steps he is taking to ensure that their demands be met.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. D. Ormsby-Gore)

The action taken by Her Majesty's Government to assist the former British officials dismissed by the Egyptian Government in 1951 was fully described in reply to Questions from my hon. Friend the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) and the hon. Member for Erith and Crayford (Mr. Dodds) on 30th October. I am afraid that I have nothing to add to that reply and to the reply given more recently on 13th November in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Kershaw).

Mr. Fraser

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that this is a matter which is now six years old and which represents a monstrous action by the Government, for two reasons: first, that these people were expelled because of British action and, secondly, that negotiations were broken off because of the failure of British action? Would he agree that the debt which this Government owes to these people is precisely similar to that owed to those people expelled last year by the Egyptian Government to whom ex-gratia loans have been made?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

Everyone in this House and people all over the country have the deepest sympathy with these persons, but it is not true to say that it is a monstrous action on the part of Her Majesty's Government. We regard this as a very unfortunate action on the part of the Egyptian Government. There is a most important matter of principle involved here. If, every time a foreign Government repudiates its obligations, Her Majesty's Government undertook to honour those obligations, we should be in a very difficult position. In previous Answers I have tried to explain why the people expelled in 1951 are not entirely on a par with those thrown out in 1956.

Mr. Janner

Would the right hon. Gentleman think it proper, as so many of these people are getting on in years, to let them have loans in the meanwhile, because I understand that the amount due to them has been agreed?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

No, that is not so. The amount due to them has not been agreed, but I would say that they have been incredibly patient in this matter.

Mr. Fraser

Hear, hear.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

We all accept that—

Mr. Fraser

Thirteen of them have died.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

—but there are talks going on in Rome at this moment in which their case is being raised with the Egyptian delegation. I ask them to exercise their patience for just a little longer to see if we can get a satisfactory outcome.

Mr. Dance

Would my right hon. Friend consider augmenting his sympathy by a little action and real help for these people, because they do need it.

Mr. Nicholson

Will not my right hon. Friend recognise that this group of people are in a particular and peculiar position in that the Egyptian Government has a contractual obligation towards them? Does he recognise that they come at the very top of the list and, in view of that, will not he consider accepting the responsibility of the Egyptian Government towards them; because whatever money is extracted from the Egyptian Government will finally be earmarked for them?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

If, as a result of our discussions with the Egyptian delegation, we get an agreement about what they are prepared to pay to the British Government, of course these people will be deserving of the highest priority. I have always said that.

Mr. Younger

Will not the Minister appreciate that the distinction he is insisting on drawing between the 1951 and 1956 victims seems to many people on this side of the House to be highly formalistic and lacking in humanity? Will not he take this matter up with his right hon. and learned Friend and ask that it be considered further?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I will certainly take it up, but if the right hon. Gentleman looks at the reply I gave on 30th October, he will see that there were fairly substantial differences.

Mr. Fraser

In view of the not very satisfactory nature of the reply given by my right hon. Friend, I propose to endeavour to raise this matter on the Adjournment.