§ 2.39 p.m.
§ LORD KILLEARNMy Lords, I beg to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether a statement can now be made as to the practical measures being taken to alleviate distress among British subjects expelled from Egypt, many of whom are understood to have reached this country in a state of complete destitution; and also as to the position of Maltese and Cypriot British subjects remaining in Egypt.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (LORD MANCROFT)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government naturally feel the utmost sympathy for the unfortunate persons who have had to leave Egypt. Her Majesty's Government are providing for their immediate needs as a matter of urgency. Her Majesty's Government are, however, discussing alternative arrangements for the future with the Anglo-Egyptian Aid Society and other voluntary organisations, and are considering sympathetically the question of giving financial support to the voluntary organisations, within appropriate limits. Your Lordships will appreciate the need for safeguards.
I understand that Cypriot British subjects in Egypt, who number about 4,600, are regarded by the Egyptians as being Greek subjects holding British passports. They are not affected by the restrictions placed on other British subjects, nor are any known to have been expelled. The Government of Cyprus have, however, agreed that the Swiss representative may advance reasonable travelling expenses to any Cypriot with a valid British passport who might wish to leave Egypt for Cyprus.
The Maltese community in Egypt is estimated at about 6,200, and there are indications that they are affected by the Egyptian laws in question. The question of the repatriation of Maltese who may wish to leave Egypt is at present under urgent consideration. In the meantime, Swiss representatives in Egypt have been authorised to grant financial relief to Maltese who may need it.
§ LORD KILLEARNMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his Answer. In regard to the first part, the arrival in this country of non-Maltese and non-Cypriot subjects, I should like to ask whether the arrangements, which I believe the noble Lord foreshadowed on a previous occasion, are taking shape in the way of some organisation to consider these cases as they arise.
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, the organisation is, of course, the National Assistance Board.
§ EARL DE LA WARRMy Lords, could the noble Lord inform the House whether it is true that Mr. Mintoff is refusing entry to Malta to holders of British passports from Egypt?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I have heard some rumours to that effect, but I should not like to comment on the matter until I am more certain of the facts.
§ LORD HORE-BELISHAMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether there are not in this country any Egyptian funds from which assistance could be made forthcoming?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, as the noble Lord knows, there are certain Egyptian funds held in this country, but I should not like to enter into so far-reaching and important a question without a great deal more notice.
§ LORD HORE-BELISHAHas not a great deal of notice been given of the plight of these people, and have not various means of helping them been fully considered? Has that matter not been taken into account?
§ LORD MANCROFTThat matter has received a great deal of notice, but I should not like to involve myself in such an important discussion as that in question and answer across the Floor of your Lordships' House.
THE EARL OF WOOLTONMy Lords, can the noble Lord say what the numbers of people coming into this country are likely to be?
§ LORD MANCROFTI am afraid that at the moment we have only the haziest idea of what the numbers are likely to be.
THE EARL OF WOOLTONMy Lords, arising out of that reply, I wonder whether Her Majesty's Government might 769 not consider that this is a problem which should be dealt with by the public purse, and not as a result of any charitable appeal to the Anglo-Egyptian Aid Society, to which the noble Lord has referred. That is, I am sure, a worthy society; but ought not circumstances of this nature to be dealt with by the public purse, rather than by making a charitable appeal to the public, who have already subscribed so handsomely to sufferers from the Hungarian disaster, which is of a totally different character from this?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I am sure we all appreciate the difference which the noble Earl, Lord Woolton, has drawn between the Hungarian position and the situation revealed in Lord Killearn's Question. I have already indicated to the House that Her Majesty's Government are discussing alternative arrangements with the Angle-Egyptian Aid Society, and the point which the noble Earl, Lord Wool-ton, has made will, I am certain, be in the front of their minds.
§ LORD HORE-BELISHAWill the noble Lord give further consideration to the matter which I put before him? As these people are the victims of Egyptian Government policy, would it not be reasonable to consider, as a matter of practical urgency, what Egyptian funds might be used for their benefit? I do not want to embarrass the noble Lord, but I ask him whether he will consider this.
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I took the point fully the first time the noble Lord made it. I can assure him that I will make certain that my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is also made fully aware of the noble Lord's views.