§ 52. Colonel Crosthwaite-Eyreasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the recent case in which details of a note from the Egyptian Government to His Majesty's Government appeared in the Press before His Majesty's Government received it, he will effect an arrangement with the Egyptian Government whereby such notes are always communicated to His Majesty's Government before their release to the Press.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesI agree with the hon. and gallant Member that it is a desirable practice that a Government should not release to the Press the contents of a Note before it has been delivered to the representative of the Government to which it is addressed. I have this matter under consideration.
§ Colonel Crosthwaite-EyreWill the Minister say what action he has taken with the Egyptian Government because this concerned a very important question? Surely the release to the Press prejudiced the whole case before His Majesty's Government had any time to comment on it.
§ Mr. DaviesI think the importance of the Note must be open to question, because His Majesty's Government have not received it.