§ 20. Captain EDENasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what rights His Majesty's Government retain in the event of the Government of Egypt failing, in any particular case, to ensure the fulfilment of their obligations under Article 6 of the Proposals for an Anglo-Egyptian Settlement?
Mr. A. HENDERSONIt is difficult to give a definite answer to a question based on a hypothetical set of circumstances which I trust would never arise, but it is at any rate plain that in the circumstances envisaged by the hon. and gallant Member His Majesty's Government would possess the rights of any state party to a Treaty which the other High Contracting Party had failed to observe.
§ Captain EDENIs the right hon. Gentleman in communication with the Governments concerned on this matter?
§ Captain EDENHas the right hon. Gentleman any intention of communicating with them in the changed circumstances?
Mr. HENDERSONI have no intention of communicating with them until I find that the circumstances necessitate it.
§ Captain EDENDoes not the right hon. Gentleman see that the circumstances are changed already by the terms of the Agreement?
§ Sir H. CROFTWill the House have an opportunity of debating the whole of this question before Christmas?
Mr. HENDERSONI cannot say when the House will have an opportunity. They will have an opportunity, at any rate, of debating the Treaty when it is brought up before ratification.