TNAG-0205-FCO40-241-Pensions-policy-1970 — Page 117

CONFIDENTIAL

APPENDIX 5

EGYPT

Although between 1882 and 1914 Egypt continued to be under the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire, from 1882 onward Britain by virtue of an army of occupation, the appointment of British advisers and the employment of increasing numbers of British officials by the Egyptian Government occupied a special position in which she covertly directed the affairs of Egypt. In 1914 after the entry of Turkey into the war Egypt was declared to be a British Protectorate and the Consul General became the High Commissioner. The pro-Turkish Khedive was succeeded by a British nominee. The Protectorate continued in force until 28 February 1922 when it was abolished by the unilateral declaration of the British Government and Egypt became an independent state. A declaration of independence was made by the Sultan on 15 March 1922, and this date is normally accepted by the Egyptian Government as the date of independence.

2. British officials in Egypt were employed by the Egyptian Government and paid by that Government and subject to the Government regulations and the authority of the Minister of their Department. Recruitment usually was in the hands of the senior British official in the Ministry, acting always as an Egyptian official and within the terms of employment laid down.

3. On the other hand until 1922 the British Consul General (later High Commissioner) largely directed the course of Egypt's policies and internal development through the Advisers and British officials in Egyptian service and there is little doubt that this led in 1922 to Egyptian insistence that all British officials should go. In 1923 a law was passed providing for the retirement of British and other foreign officials by 1 April 1927 but in the event a number of British officials remained until 1951.

4. HMG's position in regard to these officials was considered in 1962 following representations by the Anglo Egyptian Association for the inclusion of Egyptian pensioners in the Pensions (Increase) Bill then pending. During the passage of the Bill through Parliament further representations were made on behalf of these pensioners in the House of Lords debate and it was accepted that they should be eligible to receive pension supplements from British funds. The Bill was amended accordingly.

5. The current rules of certification permit payment of supplements to:

6.

a.

b.

C.

officers who, in the opinion of the Minister of Overseas Development entered the service of the Egyptian Government in a pensionable capacity before 15 March 1922 and

were British subjects at the time of appointment, and

were not normally resident in either Egypt or the Sudan.

There are currently 207 pensioners in receipt of pension supplements and the majority of these are dependant pensioners.

CONFIDENTIAL