§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is yet in a position to make a statement about the former British officials employed by the Egyptian Government.
§ Mr. HeathAlthough hopes of an early and satisfactory settlement have not been fulfilled, Her Majesty's Government will continue to press the United Arab Republic Government to comply fully with their obligations in this matter under Article III (f) of the Financial Agreement of 1959. These were to pay to Her Majesty's Government £100,000 as an interim compensation payment (which was in fact duly paid), to cause the Commission originally set up in 1954 to make a final assessment of the compensation due, and to permit the payment in sterling of the 110W balance over and above the £100,000 already paid. In view of the delays which have occurred over the assessment of this compensation and of the payment of this balance by the United Arab Republic Government and of the hardship which is being caused by these delays, Her Majesty's Government have now agreed to make advance payments by way of loans to the officials up to a total not exceeding £100,000 against the ultimate sum assessed by the Government of the United Arab Republic. Parliament will, in due course, be asked to vote the appropriate amount by means of a Supplemental Estimate, and, in the meantime, an advance will be sought from the Civil Contingencies Fund as required.