§ Viscount Lambtonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what representations have been made to the Egyptian Government concerning the refusal by the Egyptian police to allow Squadron Leader Hindle James, retired, who is aged 74 years and suffering from angina pectoris, to telephone either the British Consulate or his doctor when arrested by the Egyptian police on 6th June;
(2) what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the Egyptian Government concerning the treatment of Squadron Leader Hindle James, retired, following his arrest on 6th June and his subsequent treatment and interrogation by the Egyptian police;
(3) why no action was taken by the British Consulate in Cairo concerning the arrest of Squadron Leader Hindle James, retired, on 6th June, especially as the Consolate were aware that he was aged 74 years and in ill health.
§ Mr. William RodgersSquadron Leader Hindle James was arrested on 6th June having previously been warned by our Consul to leave Egypt in view of the danger of hostilities. The British Interests Section of the Canadian Embassy made repeated and vigorous protests to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior against his arrest and those of other British subjects. As a result he was released and placed on board ship two days later.
The full details of the treatment accorded Squadron Leader Hindle James did not become available to the Foreign Office until later and, in the circumstances prevailing, we considered that a protest against his treatment under arrest and the refusal of the United Arab Republic authorities to allow him to communicate with his doctor or our Consul, would not have been in Squadron Leader Hindle James's interest.
§ Viscount Lambtonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to press for financial compensation from the Egyptian Government for those British subjects who were arrested in 29W Cairo in June and later expelled from Egypt.
§ Mr. William RodgersI shall certainly be glad to consider approaching the United Arab Republic authorities if it can be shown that financial loss has been incurred by those arrested and expelled.