§ 10. Lieut. - Commander FLETCHERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is intended to appoint any officers of the Navy, Army and Air Force to the British delegation which is to discuss an Anglo-Egyptian treaty; and whether he will bear in mind the desirability of not appointing for discussions which aim at effecting a settlement of long-standing disputes representatives likely to offend Egyptian susceptibilities and prejudice the course of negotiations?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEAs regards the first part of the question, the discussions which begin to-day and which are in the nature of preliminary conversations, will be conducted by His Majesty's High Commissioner with the assistance, among others, of officers of the Royal Navy, the Army, and the Royal Air Force, as expert advisers. The answer to the second part of the question is Yes, Sir.
§ Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNIs there any reason to suppose that military officers have not more the confidence and even the affection of the poorer classes of Egyptians than anybody else?
§ Mr. THURTLEMay we take it that these military officers will be present in a purely advisory capacity, and will have no influence on policy?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEI have said that they will be there as expert advisers.