Written Answers To Questions
Friday, 1st February, 1952
Egypt (Dismissed English Teachers)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he proposes to take to help English teachers in Egypt who have been summarily dismissed and left without financial resources.
As indicated in the answer given by my right hon. Friend on 30th January to my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Mr. Alport) and in his supplementary answer to the hon. Member himself, His Majesty's Government are making every effort to assist these teachers, in common with all dismissed officials, both in securing compensation and obtaining other employment. His Majesty's Ambassador in Cairo has authority to offer financial assistance in cases of need.
British Army
Officers (Courts-Martial)
asked the Secretary of State for War the number and rank of all officers court-martialled since 1948 for issuing cheques that could not be met and similar offences.
Between 1st January, 1948, and 31st December, 1951, 81 cases of officers convicted by general courts-martial on charges relating to dishonoured cheques reached the War Office for first review. Of these officers, 10 were majors, 41 captains and 30 subalterns. In 18 of these cases, including 1 major, 9 captains and 8 subalterns, the cheque offences were subsidiary to other charges.
Families Overseas (Evacuation)
asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the distress caused to wives and children evacuated from Egypt in December, 1951, better arrangements are planned for any possible future evacuations.
I deplore the inevitable inconvenience and disruption of family life caused by the urgent need to bring these families home, but their safety was our over-riding concern. The arrangements, however, were the best which could be made in the time available: and the few criticisms that have been made were of shortcomings that were, I think, unavoidable in a move at short notice. The experience gained will certainly be used if, regrettably, a similar move is necessary in the future.