§ 29. Lieut.-Colonel CROFTasked the, Prime Minister whether, having regard to the fact that this House has never discussed the desirability of a change in the Constitution of Egypt or given its sanction to any drastic change by vote or otherwise, he will give an undertaking that no commitments are made until Parliament has registered its decision that such changes should be considered?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham on the 27th ultimo.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTIs it not the fact that if any commitments are made on this subject without first consulting Parliament, it will be extremely difficult for His Majesty's Government to go back on any such commitments, and may we not ask that no drastic change shall take place until the matter has been placed before this House, as Parliament has never given its sanction to any complete change?
§ The PRIME MINISTERUndoubtedly Parliament will have to be consulted in any important change in our relations with Egypt. Anything done will be with the sanction of Parliament; but it is quite impossible for the Foreign Secretary to conduct negotiations if every suggestion put forward is to be submitted to Parliament.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEEIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that we are not conducting negotiations with a foreign country, but with a country for which, before the whole world, we have made ourselves responsible; therefore this House should certainly have the right to consider the matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have always said so. No doubt the House of Commons has the full right to consider every change that is suggested.
§ Mr. SWANIs the Prime Minister aware, before any Treaty of Alliance, based on good will, can be arrived at with the Egyptian people, that we can no more bring that alliance about by disregarding the chosen leader of the Egyptians about a Treaty of Alliance—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]—I expect I am in the hands of the Speaker.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is quite a different matter, and does not arise out of the question on the Paper. The hon. Member is now asking quite a separate question.
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTHas this House ever expressed itself as not satisfied with 588 the Government of Egypt, and may we take it that no steps will be taken until this House has expressed its opinion?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt was clearly stated the other day that Parliament would be consulted.
§ Mr. GWYNNEAre we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman that the Government hold that they have the power to negotiate away part of our territory?
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY"Ours!"
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTNot yours!
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis is merely arguing the question.