HC Deb 20 February 1922 vol 150 cc1554-5W
Mr. MILLS

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that on 14th January, 1922, being the market day for Shandaweel, in Girga province, while the inhabitants were assembled in the new market which they set up in place of the British company's market there, Mr. Kennedy, the general inspector of the company, arrived with the Meawen of Souhag and soldiers; that they then attempted to persuade the inhabitants to return to the company's market, and failed; that they then went on to compel them by force to do so; that Kennedy fired seven shots with his revolver into the crowd and the soldiers fired with their rifles; and that three of the inhabitants were killed and nine wounded; and whether, seeing that the protection of the soldiers made it unnecessary for Mr. Kennedy to use his revolver in self-defence, he has any statement to make on this incident?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

At Shandawil (Girga) on 14th January the police ordered a mob who were holding an unauthorised market in the dry bed of a canal either to disperse or to go to the regular market place. Nearly all those present went into the market place, but about an hour later a mob some 50 strong rushed in and proceeded to loot the goods on sale. The police fired in the air. This action resulted in the gathering together of a large crowd from the neighbouring village, who attacked the police and the market staff. The mob directed that the English district inspector of the Markets Company should be given up to them. The Moawin of Police refused, and was eventually obliged to open fire. The resulting casualties were three killed and an unknown number of wounded, of whom five have been reported officially. The staff of the Markets Company eventually effected their escape with some difficulty. The district inspector expressed admiration of the behaviour of the Moawin of Police. Numerous dismissals of employés of the Markets Company had taken place in this district, and it is believed that the dismissed officials were at the back of the trouble.