§ 3.8 p.m.
§ LORD COLWYNMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the event of British nationals being expelled from Egypt, what guarantee they are going to give to British personnel who have devoted the whole of their lives, both personal and professional, to Egypt.]
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF READING)My Lords, I am not at all sure what form of guarantee the noble Lord has in mind. It would, in any case, be difficult to give a specific reply about any guarantee without knowing the details of the particular cases he is thinking of. I can, however, assure the noble Lord, as I yesterday assured another noble Lord in answering a not dissimilar Question, that Her Majesty's Government have very much in mind the unfortunate position of many of the British subjects expelled from Egypt, and will give all assistance they properly can.
§ LORD COLWYNMy Lords, I thank the noble Marquess for his Answer. I 675 should know of the specific case tonight or to-morrow. May I be allowed to bring it up next week?
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, if it is a matter of a specific case, may I suggest that the noble Lord might like to communicate with me by letter, rather than take up the time of the House.
§ LORD COLWYNCertainly.