§ 3.5 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF SWINTONMy Lords, I beg leave to ask Her Majesty's Government the following Question, of which I have given them Private Notice: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any further statement to make concerning financial help to refugees from Egypt.
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (LORD MANCROFT)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have given further consideration, in consultation with the Anglo-Egyptian Aid Society and other voluntary organisations, to the question of affording assistance to the British subjects who come to this country as refugees from Egypt. I am glad to be able to announce that the Government have decided to make an immediate grant of £100,000 to the Society to enable them to give prompt relief to those in need of it. I understand that, in addition, the Society propose to make a public appeal for funds; and the Society, as trustees of any funds so subscribed, will use them in such manner as they think fit for the benefit of these unhappy refugees.
§ THE EARL OF SWINTONMy Lords, may I thank the Under-Secretary of State for that Answer, and ask him whether he is aware that everybody, in all quarters of the House, will be grateful to him for the advocacy which obviously he must have undertaken in the last twenty-four hours, and that not only these unhappy victims but the whole country will be most grateful for the decision which he has just announced?
§ EARL JOWITTMy Lords, I should like to say that I entirely agree with what the noble Earl has said. I thank him for putting dawn the Question, and the noble Lord, Lord Mancroft, for his Answer. 806 Is there any knowledge to-day as to the numbers of people involved?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, I am afraid that I have no more knowledge to-day than we had yesterday. It is very difficult to get information as to the actual number who may be involved.