HC Deb 07 November 1949 vol 469 cc886-7
49. Mr. Platts-Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in view of the undertaking in Annex 3 to the Papers regarding the Negotiations for a Revision of the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of 1936 (Command Paper No. 7179), and having regard to the present economic difficulties, if he will now propose the evacuation of British troops from Egypt.

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Mayhew)

I have nothing to add to the statements made by my right hon. Friend in a Debate in the House earlier this year, nor to the statement I made last year in reply to a similar Question.

Mr. Platts-Mills

As the Foreign Secretary agreed these terms with the Egyptian Prime Minister in October, 1946, and undertook to recommend them to the Government, are we to take it that this long delay is another addition to the sorry tale of the Foreign Secretary's broken undertakings?

Mr. Mayhew

No, Sir, the negotiations were broken off at that time and agreements which had been initialled are not binding on either Government.