HC Deb 14 June 1951 vol 488 cc2517-8
Mr. Eden

(by Private Notice)asked whether the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has any statement to make about negotiations with Egypt in respect of the Sudan

Mr. H. Morrison

No, Sir. I do not consider that it would be in the public interest to make any statement at present.

Mr. Eden

Did the right hon. Gentleman see the reports in the Press yesterday, in "The Times" among others, of the satisfaction of the Foreign Secretary of State in Egypt after the result of a conference, when he told reporters that the British Note held out high hopes of solving the Sudan question? May I ask the Foreign Secretary to give us at any rate an assurance that there has been no departure from the previous statement of the Government about British policy in respect of the Sudan, that is to say, that our undertakings and our engagements are to the people of the Sudan?

Mr. Morrison

It is well known that the Government take the view that the wishes of the people of the Sudan must be a very very prominent consideration in our minds. In any case, the undertaking that I previously gave as to the defence aspects about consulting the House would apply equally.

Mr. Eden

I should like to get this clear. I think I understand the right hon. Gentleman to mean that before an arrangement is come to about the Sudan the House will be informed and we shall have an opportunity to discuss it.

Mr. Morrison

If the right hon. Gentleman looks up—

Mr. Eden

I have tried to, but I cannot find it.

Mr. Morrison

—the fairly lengthy interchange I had across the Floor of the House, he will find that the undertaking I gave in respect of the defence discussions applies equally to the Sudan consideration.

Mr. Eden

What were those undertakings? Were they that we should be consulted before the final arrangement was made? I have looked, but I cannot find it.

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir. The undertaking was that the country is not committed until ratification has taken place, and I will see that the House is given the opportunity at the right point to intervene, before that final stage is reached.

Mr. Gammans

So that there is no misunderstanding, would the right hon. Gentleman say whether there has been any departure from the principles about the Sudan which his predecessor enunciated in the House, with the general approval of all sides, on more than one occasion? Has there been any departure whatsoever from those principles?

Mr. Morrison

These discussions are going on both sides, and I do not think that I ought at this stage to add to the statement I have made.