HC Deb 01 April 1936 vol 310 cc1971-2
4. Mr. DONNER

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who are the legal advisers to the British delegation now taking part in the Anglo-Egyptian negotiations?

Mr. EDEN

The discussions now taking place in Cairo are not formal negotiations but preliminary conversations, and the stage has not been reached when legal formulas need to be drafted. It is proposed, however, to send a legal expert to Cairo to advise the British delegation as soon as his presence appears necessary.

Mr. DONNER

Is it not a fact that there are several legal advisers of the Egyptian Government there?

Mr. EDEN

I am afraid I do not know.

6. Mr. LENNOX-BOYD

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Ahmed Maher and Nekrashi Bey are members of the Egyptian delegation now taking part in the Anglo-Egyptian negotiations in Cairo?

Mr. EDEN

Yes, Sir.

Mr. LENNOX-BOYD

Is it considered altogether desirable that one person at least, still held by the British Government officially to be guilty of complicity in murder, should be a member of the Egyptian Delegation?

Mr. EDEN

I should like to see that question on the Order Paper.

Mr. DONNER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the High Commissioner, Lord Lloyd, issued a proclamation, with the consent of His Majesty's Government, that the British Government would never again negotiate with any of these persons?

Mr. EDEN

I understand that both these persons were associated with the Delegation in 1930. I think these very grave questions should be put on the Paper.

Mr. McGOVERN

Nay we have an assurance that the right hon. Gentleman will not negotiate with Hitler and Goering?

7. Mr. SANDYS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement regarding the progress of the Anglo-Egyptian treaty negotiations?

Mr. EDEN

The preliminary conversations with a view to negotiations for an Anglo-Egyptian settlement are still in progress, and it is too early as yet to make any statement on the subject.

8. Mr. SANDYS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who are the military advisers to the British Delegation taking part in the Anglo-Egyptian treaty negotiations?

Mr. EDEN

The military advisers to the British Delegation taking part in the present Anglo-Egyptian conversations are the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Station, or his deputy, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, British troops in Egypt, and the Air Officer Commanding Royal Air Force, Middle East.

Back to