HC Deb 20 February 1922 vol 150 cc1511-2
45. Major BARNES

asked the Prime Minister if a statement of the Government's policy in regard to Egypt is to be made at an early date; if so, when; and whether it will be preceded by the publication of the negotiations between the Government and its advisers in Egypt?

31. Mr. LUNN

asked the Prime Minister, if he is now in a position to name a date when the House could discuss the present and future government of Egypt?

The PRIME MINISTER

Yes, Sir. We propose to announce to Parliament to-morrow week the proposals with regard to Egypt for which we shall seek Parliamentary approval. A Parliamentary Paper will be laid that afternoon.

Major BARNES

Is it part of the Government policy to releaae Zaghloul Pasha?

The PRIME MINISTER

I cannot make any statement until Lord Allenby has returned to Egypt.

Lord R. CECIL

Will the White Paper include the correspondence or only the actual agreement? Is it not very desirable that the House should be in possession of all the correspondence before the Debate takes place?

Lieut.-Colonel CROFT

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a definite undertaking that no suggestion will be made to the Egyptian native authorities by Lord Allenby until this House has had an opportunity of considering the policy?

The PRIME MINISTER

Any suggestions made to the Egyptian authorities will be made definitely on the understanding that they will have to be ratified by this House. That will be made quite clear.

Lieut.-Colonel CROFT

Then it will not be a signed agreement put before the House to leave it or take it?

The PRIME MINISTER

It is a proposal which we intend to recommend to this country. In reply to the Noble Lord the Member for Hitchin (Lord R. Cecil), our intention was to give only the actual proposal in the White Paper. I am not sure that it is desiyable to publish the whole of the correspondence. I should like to ask Lord Allen[...]y's views about that.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Is it proposed to take the Debate next week, or will it be postponed until some future occasion?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Under the present arrangements, the current week is allotted to finance, and the first business after that must be to get through the Irish Bill. If desired, I will give a day as soon as possible after we have disposed of that Bill.

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I wanted my right hon. Friend to say that we should not have a day until we had had at least two or three days to read the proposals.

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I think I shall be able to meet my hon. Friend's desire that he shall have time enough for consideration before discussion.