§ 43. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement on the agreement which has been made between His Majesty's Government and the Egyptian Administration on the subject of the use and control of the Nile waters; and whether the proposed agreement will be submitted to the Egyptian Parliament?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson)I am glad to be able to state that an agreement satisfactory to both parties has been reached between His Majesty's Government and the Egyptian Government with regard to the distribution of the Nile waters, and the text of the agreement has appeared in the Press. I feel sure that it will be generally recognised that this settlement cannot fail to facilitate development and promote prosperity both in Egypt and in the Sudan. I am not in a position to reply to the latter part of the question.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider it very necessary, in the case of an agreement of this sort, which affects the 2332 whole of the people of Egypt, that the elected representatives of the people should be consulted?
§ Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONThat is entirely a domestic matter for Egypt.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIn the meantime, would it not have been more decent to suggest that the Egyptian Parliament should be called together to ratify this very important agreement?