HC Deb 03 March 1930 vol 236 cc24-5
24. Brigadier-General BROWN

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether at the forthcoming conference with the Egyptian Government the terms of negotiation will be strictly adhered to as set out in the White Paper; and whether he will give the names of the Egyptian delegates and the date of their arrival in this country?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

The Egyptian delegation will be headed by the Prime Minister, and will, I understand, include the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Public Works. They are due to arrive in London during the week beginning the 24th March. As stated in the official communique which was published in the Press on the 25th February, the delegation is coming for the purpose of negotiating on the proposals in the White Paper referred to by the hon. and gallant Member.

Brigadier-General BROWN

Have any further matters arisen in the negotiations, and, if so, will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House?

Mr. HENDERSON

I do not recognise any fresh matters that have arisen, but, if the hon. and gallant Member will put a question on the Paper, I will answer it.

Captain WATERHOUSE

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to make any further concessions other than those set out in the White Paper?

Mr. HENDERSON

The hon. and gallant Member had better wait and see.

Captain CROOKSHANK

But surely this House is entitled to know beforehand the nature of this concession and to ask the right hon. Gentleman what his views are on the subject?

Mr. HENDERSON

There has already been a Debate on the subject. The White Paper has been issued, and I have already answered questions and said that negotiations are to be conducted on the White Paper.

Mr. MARJORIBANKS

Did not the right hon. Gentleman say that he had reached the extreme limit of concessions?

Mr. HENDERSON

I never said anything inconsistent with that.

Mr. MARJORIBANKS

Then why does he tell us that we had better wait and see?