HC Deb 13 November 1951 vol 493 cc34-5W
Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that the measures being taken in the Suez Canal zone are adequate to prevent disturbance of civil order and to protect British lives and property.

Mr. Nutting:

I regret to inform the House that, with certain exceptions, so far from taking the necessary measures the Egyptian Government have connived in, if not encouraged, the spread of lawlessness in the Zone. In addition to their failure to take measures in time to pre vent the incursion of hooligan elements which inspired the riots in Ismailia on 16th October, the Egyptian authorities have tolerated and even encouraged a widespread campaign of intimidation against Egyptian labour employed both in British military installations in the Canal ports and in private British employment. We have evidence of the direct participation of the local Egyptian authorities in this campaign and have been obliged to insist upon the expulsion of a number of minor officials involved, including a few police officers as well as members of terrorist organisations.

One of the effects of this Egyptian campaign has been to deprive a large part of the civil population of their means of livelihood. As a result of this and of the panic and departure of small shopkeepers, there is a danger that the whole system of food distribution, particularly in Ismailia and the villages of the Zone, will break down, leading to widespread distress and further disorder. At no time have His Majesty's Forces in any way interfered with the movement of food supplies into this area and the responsibility for this dangerous situation rests entirely on the shoulders of the Egyptian Government. So far, the Egyptian Government have shown no sign that they recognise the gravity of their responsibilities, and if their own people are to be spared from unnecessary hardship and suffering, urgent action is required on the part of the Egyptian authorities to put an end to this campaign of intimidation and restore normal conditions of life in the area.