Coll 15/5 'EGYPT British community in Egypt: problems of post-war reconstruction' [‎28r] (55/68)

would bo "Britannia House", It would be essential that the
building should be dignified if not impressive in appearance
and situated in a reputable and accessible quarter. In
addition to its main function as the repository of the
Exhibition it should also houso the offices of the Chamber of
Commercei and perhaps other bodies such as the Community
Councils, the Charitable Fund and the British Legion, The
possibility of moving the Hoad Office of the British Council
there should also bo considered. In this way it could bo made
into the centre of British Commercial and Community activities.
It is understood that a similar idea has boon mooted at the
recent Mooting of Commercial Diplomatic Officers hold in Cairo
early in November, and there can bo little doubt that the
creation of such an Institution on proper and adequate linos
w.ould act as a strong and perfectly legitimate stimulus to
British trade and prestige in the country.
If this Institution proved to be a success it is con
sidered that it might eventually bo possible to have a second
similar building at Alexandria, where so much of the Trade of
Egyptis concentrated,
34, The question of the establishment and organisation of
Community Councils after the war is regarded as^of the greatest
importance. It is understood that HMG Her or His Majesty’s Government in London. - arc most interested in
the creation of such bodies in all foreign countries^whore
colonies of British subjects arc found, but that it is loft to
the British Diplomatic Representative in the country concerned
to ascertain and decide what form of Council or Councils is
,nost appropriate to that country. In Egypt the relatively large
numbers and the political importance of thc^British Colony on the
one hand, and the diversity of its composition on the other hand
make this decision at once more important and more difficult than
in many other countries. Two major problems present themselves in
thfs connexion viz:
(a). Should there bo one single Council for the whole
of Egypt, or should there bo Councils in the
four Consular Districts (excluding the special
district of Ismailia which is of war-time but
not commercial or social significance) and a
Central Council?
(t>). Should the Maltose and Cypriots bo represented
on the same Council or Councils as the Anglo-
Saxons or should they have separate Councils of
their own Communities (as they have at present),
or should they retain the latter and bo represented
in the former?
These questions, among others, are being examined by certain
representative members of the British Community with a view to
obtaining an expression of the general viow of British subjects
in Egypt for the guidance of the Ambassador, It is not therefore
proposed to make any recommendation on this aspect of the problem
in this Report, It is however desired to emphasise the importance
of the rt>lo which such Councils (however constituted) should
in furthering the interests of the British Community in the post
war period. Representative as they will bo of all classes of
British subjects in Egypt the Councils will be the natural channel
through which the Rehabilitation Boards will apply any schemes
that may bo adopted, and they will naturally bo consulted as to
their application. In addition to this the Councils will bo
expected to keep the Consuls and/or the Ambassador advised as to
tho/