HC Deb 26 March 1946 vol 421 cc216-8
Mr. Thomas Reid (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the departure of a Sudanese delegation for Cairo in connection with the forthcoming treaty negotiations, His Majesty's Government are in a position to make any statement in regard to the future status of the Sudan.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Ernest Bevin)

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government look forward to the day when the Sudanese will be able finally to decide their political future for themselves. It is not proposed by His Majesty's Government to influence their eventual decision in any way. His Majesty's Government have no object in the Sudan other than the true welfare of the Sudanese, and this principle has likewise been proclaimed by the Egyptian Government in the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1936. The welfare of the Sudanese cannot be secured unless a stable and disinterested administration is maintained in the Sudan. The objects of such an administration must be to establish organs of self-government as a first step towards eventual independence, to accelerate the process of appointing Sudanese to higher Government posts in consultation with Sudanese representatives, and to raise the capacity of the mass of the people for effective citizenship. These are the objects of the present Sudan Government, and His Majesty's Government fully support them. In the meantime, His Majesty's Government consider that no change should be made in the status of the Sudan as a result of treaty revision until the Sudanese have been consulted through constitutional channels.

Mr. Reid

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if this delegation represents the people of the Sudan or any of the races of the Sudan?

Mr. Bevin

I could not answer exactly whom they claim to represent. I have stated quite clearly our policy, which we intend to follow.

Mr. Godfrey Nicholson

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. This Private Notice Question has resulted in an important statement of policy by a Minister. Should not questions like that always be put on the Order Paper so that hon. -Members may have an opportunity of considering them?

Mr. Stokes

I cannot hear a word of what the hon. Gentleman says.

Mr. Speaker

It is not unusual for a Minister to make a statement of policy after Questions. With regard to the departure of this delegation to Cairo, possibly there is some urgency about it in the mind of the hon. Member.

Mr. Eden

I entirely agree with what the right hon. Gentleman has said about the evolution of the Sudan and the position of the Sudanese themselves. I did not hear what the position is about this delegation—from whom it is or to whom it is.Could the right hon. Gentleman enlighten us a little?

Mr. Bevin

There are to be two delegations, representing two points of view. There is one delegation from the Sudan going down to claim the unity of the Nile Valley. There is another delegation going there, I understand—I do not know whether it has gone yet—which is claiming that the Sudanese must be consulted before anything is dealt with. There is a division of opinion.