§ 20. Mr. HANNONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has yet opened negotiations with the Egyptian Government regarding the independence of the Sudan as an integral part of Egypt under Egyptian administration; and, before doing so, whether he will take into consideration the fact that large investments of British capital in the Sudan have been influenced by pledges that the Sudan should never again be governed by an Egyptian administration, and that such negotiations would jeopardise British enterprise, particularly in cotton growing?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have been hoping that the questions still outstanding between an independent Egypt and ourselves might have been settled in the calm conditions of personal negotiations between Saad Zaghloul Pasha and myself when, by facing the realities of the situation, we might have come to an agreement which recognised the interests and responsibilities of both countries. It is essential, if this hope is to be fulfilled, that both His Majesty's Government and the Egyptian Government should, in the meantime, honourably and rigidly observe the status quo. I regret that statements have been made to the Egyptian Parliament, and action taken 914 to create trouble in the Sudan, which can only be explained as an attempt to force my hands and deprive Zaghloul Pasha of liberty to negotiate.
I was looking forward both with pleasure and expectation to a meeting with Zaghloul Pasha and a discussion with him of the best interests and the accepted responsibilities of our respective countries, and I have desired to say nothing which would have limited the freedom of discussion which we ought to claim; but, in view of what has happened, it is necessary that I should make it clear to all concerned that I do not believe that this House would accept any arrangement which would break our pledges given to the Sudan or jeopardise the present administration and development of that country. I believe that hearty goodwill between Egypt and ourselves is of the utmost importance to both of us, and I still trust that those responsible for the governments of both countries will refuse to countenance impossibilist demands which will destroy the prospects of such an understanding.
§ Mr. HANNONAre we to understand that this is a definite guarantee for the safety of British investors in the Sudan?
§ Mr. MILLSWill the right hon. Gentleman be kind enough to define what are the pledges given to the Sudan—by what Government and when?
§ Lieut.-Colonel JAMESIs it not a fact that in 1899 a definite agreement was come to between the English and Egyptian Governments in regard to the Sudan?
§ Mr. SPEAKERIn a matter of this kind further questions must be put on the Paper.