74. Lieut.-Colonel MALONEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a sum of £500,000 from the Egyptian Treasury has been expended on certain irrigation works in the Sudan without the consent of the Egyptian people?
Mr. HARMSWORTHAny expenditure of this nature has been approved by the Egyptian Council of Ministers, and is destined to provide more water for irrigation in Egypt.
Lieut.-Colonel MALONEMay we assume it has not been approved by the Egyptian people's representatives in the Legislative Assembly?
77. Lieut.-Colonel MALONEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether irrigation works have been started in the Sudan which will have complete control over the supply of water to the Nile in Egypt; if so, whether these works are being constructed at the exclusive expense of the Egyptian people; and whether the Egyptian people have ever been consulted?
Mr. HARMSWORTHComplete control of the waters of the Nile will require more extensive works than those included in the present programme, which will not be carried out at the exclusive expense of the Egyptian people, as Egypt will only pay for works of benefit to herself, and the Sudan for those destined to provide irrigation for that country. As regards the third part of the question, the 2070 hon. and gallant Member is perhaps unaware that all expenditure chargeable to the Egyptian Budget is approved by the Egyptian Council of Ministers.