Dr. RUTHERFORDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in view of the important commercial, Egyptian and international, interests involved in the Suez Canal, he would take steps to give this House an opportunity of expressing an opinion upon the proposed extension of the lease of the Suez Canal Company before the negotiations were completed?
§ Sir E. GREYCertain points in connection with the proposed extension are now under the consideration of the Egyptian Government, who must have time to form. their own opinion upon them. Meanwhile, the negotiations are in suspense, and there is nothing further to be said at present.
Dr. RUTHERFORDWill the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that we shall have an opportunity of discussing the matter before the negotiations are completed?
§ Sir E. GREYNo. The Egyptian Government are considering the matter, and before any final conclusion is come to the General Assembly will be consulted.
Dr. RUTHERFORDI am thinking only of this House. Is it not reasonable that this House should have an opportunity of deciding such a grave question?
§ Sir E. GREYThe decision from the point of view of the Suez Canal Company does not rest with this House. The decision as to whether the Egyptian Government should make a certain bargain rests with that Government, who are now forming their opinion upon it, and they are doing so without any pressure from us.
§ Mr. J. M. ROBERTSONCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the alleged dropping of the negotiations is accurate, or are the negotiations still being carried on?
§ Sir E. GREYI have said that the negotiations are in suspense, because the Egyptian Government are considering certain propositions.