§ 52. Mr. Wyattasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the refusal of the Egyptian Government to support the resolution of the Security Council on Korea, he will discontinue supplies of arms to Egypt.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesThe Egyptian statement in the Security Council came as a considerable surprise to His Majesty's 956 Government. It is clear also that this statement has caused no less concern in other countries whose principles are founded upon justice and liberty. It is possible that the implications of the Egyptian statement, which is far from clear in certain respects, may have been misconstrued. The Egyptian Government is expected to issue a statement to clarify their position very shortly. In the meantime I have no further statement to make.
§ Mr. WyattDoes not the Minister think that the jet planes supplied to Egypt would be of far more use in the Far East? Is it not time that the Foreign Office dropped this policy, which is making us a laughing-stock in the Far East, of feeding the mouth that bites us?
§ Mr. Henry StraussWhy is it that His Majesty's Government are invariably surprised, and if they are, is it desirable to say so?
§ Mr. DaviesIn view of the fact that the Egyptian Government is a member of the Security Council, and because of our general relations with her, we did expect different action to be taken by the Egyptian Government in this respect.
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanIn view of Egypt's own record of aggression is there any real reason to be surprised at their refusal to support the United Nations?
§ Mr. DaviesHis Majesty's Government do not accept the assumption that Egypt has engaged in aggression.