HC Deb 17 June 1959 vol 607 c433
33. Mr. Teeling

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether administrative arrangements have yet been ma de for the transfer to this country of the British patients in Abbasieh mental hospital, Cairo.

Mr. R. Allan

Yes, Sir. It has been agreed and arranged that these patients will be flown in a chartered aircraft to this country where they will be looked after. They will have an escort provided by the St. John Ambulance Brigade. As some formalities still have to be completed, I cannot give a definite date of departure, but I hope it will be soon.

Mr. Teeling

Does my hon. Friend realise that this will greatly comfort the families concerned, but as it is now several months since I asked a Question about this, can he give us a very rough idea of how soon this may be?

Mr. Allan

The whole scheme has been approved in principle. We are now awaiting exit visas for the patients and visas for the escort of the aircraft. We hope to have them within a month, perhaps.