§ Mr. DOUGLAS HALLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he could say if the Egyptian Government intended to abide by the decision of the National Assembly, and to refuse to extend the Suez Canal concession; whether that decision was arrived at after consultation with Sir Eldon Gorst, the British Agent, and with his consent; and whether, as a consequence of this decision, the interest of the British Government in the Suez Canal Company, now valued at £25,000,000, would determine with the concession?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe answer to the first question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second question, the answer is also in the affirmative, as regards abiding by the decision of the Assembly in this instance; but I must refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 17th March, in which it is made clear that His Majesty's Government did not in any way influence the decision not to extend the concession. The reply to the third question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. DOUGLAS HALLWas the action of the Egyptian Government due to pressure brought to bear upon them by the Egyptian Nationalist party, fortified by a seditious Press, and a certain number of Radical Members in this House?
Mr. McKINNON WOODThe action of the Egyptian Government, as I understand it, was brought about by a decision of the General Assembly which was practically unanimous.