§ 34. Mr. MARJORIBANKSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Anglo-Egyptian Conference has finally and unconditionally adjourned or adjourned on 8th May with any suggestion of resumption in the future?
§ 21. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make a statement respecting the progress of Anglo-Egyptian negotiations?
§ Mr. DALTONI understood that Question No. 21, which deals with the same subject, was withdrawn.
§ Captain MACDONALDNo.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI had received notice that it was withdrawn, but perhaps the hon. and gallant Member has changed his mind.
§ Captain MACDONALDI gave no notice that I wished to withdraw it. I am, satisfied that it should be withdrawn, but I think I should have been notified.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI was under the impression that the withdrawal was at the hon. and gallant Member's request.
§ Captain MACDONALDI gave no intimation that I wanted to withdraw it.
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSI have not withdrawn Question No. 34.
§ Mr. DALTONI propose to answer Nos. 34 and 21 together. In all questions relating to the recent Egyptian negotiations, 1441 I must ask hon. Members to be so good as to await the promised White Paper.
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKS rose—
Earl WINTERTONOn a point of Order. My hon. Friend rose to ask a question, and the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Mills) promptly called out, at the top of his voice, that it was a mischievous question. I ask you, Sir, whether you are not the authority to say whether or not a question should be put, and whether we are to be defended from the gross, offensive—[Interruption]—the gross and offensive remarks which Members of the Opposition continue to make?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe remark of the hon. Member for Dartford (Mr. Mills) was obviously an improper one.
§ Mr. MILLSIf, Sir, in your opinion, my expression in regard to this question on Egypt is not in order, I will withdraw it.
§ Mr. THURTLEOn a point of Order. If rebukes are being distributed for offensive remarks, may I draw attention to the fact that the right hon. Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood), when the right hon. Member for Darwen (Sir H. Samuel) rose to put a supplementary question to the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, said, "You have now your orders."
§ Mr. MARJORIBANKSMay I ask the hon. Gentleman whether, on the adjournment of the Conference, it was made clear to the Egyptian delegation that any new negotiations must be on a fresh basis, and must not be hampered by anything that took place at the Conference?
§ Mr. DALTONThe hon. Member will find the answer to that question and to many others when the White Paper is published, and it is not my intention to dish out the White Paper piecemeal in reply to Parliamentary questions.