HC Deb 15 November 1951 vol 493 cc1176-8
The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Eden)

With your leave, Mr. Speaker, and the leave of the House, I wish to make a statement about the Sudan.

In view of the uncertainty caused in the Sudan and elsewhere by the Egyptian Government's unilateral action in purporting to abrogate the 1936 Treaty of Alliance and the two Condominium Agreements of 1899, His Majesty's Government find it necessary to reaffirm that they regard the Governor-General and the present Sudan Government as fully responsible for continuing the administration of the Sudan.

His Majesty's Government are glad to note that the Sudan has for some time been, and is now moving rapidly in the direction of self-government. In their view this progress can and should continue on the lines already laid down. His Majesty's Government will, therefore, give the Governor-General their full support for the steps he is taking to bring the Sudanese rapidly to the stage of self-government as a prelude to self-determination, and now await the recommendations of the Constitution Amendment Commission. His Majesty's Government are glad to know that a constitution providing for self-government may be completed and in operation by the end of 1952.

Having attained self-government, it will be for the Sudanese people to choose their own future status and relationship with the United Kingdom and with Egypt. His Majesty's Government consider that the attainment of self-government should immediately be followed by active preparations for the ultimate goal of self-determination. They will support the Governor-General in his efforts to ensure that the Sudanese people shall be able to exercise their choice in complete freedom and in the full consciousness of their responsibilities.

His Majesty's Government, with whose support the Sudan Government have brought the Sudanese people to their present stage of progress, are confident that they will work with united enthusiasm towards their goal. His Majesty's Government meanwhile guarantee to ensure the defence and security of the Sudan during the intervening period.

Mr. Herbert Morrison

May I say quite shortly that I welcome the statement that the right hon. Gentleman has made. He has indicated that it is a reaffirmation of Government policy, and I think he will agree with me that it is in substance the policy which we on this side of the House were pursuing. That is now being continued, and we welcome the declaration that has been made. Certainly we would agree that the unilateral steps taken by the Egyptian Government are of a character that our country cannot recognise.

Mr. Eden

I am prepared to say that the progress that has been made in the Sudan, which is very remarkable progress, has taken place over a long period of years. I do not think any particular Government would wish to claim exclusive credit for that, but of course the new situation which has arisen is due to the action of the Egyptian Government, and I thought it right to make this statement before the general debate on Monday, since I understood from Khartoum that there was some anxiety to know the position of His Majesty's Government.

Mr. A. Fenner Brockway

While very sincerely welcoming the reaffirmation of the right of the Sudanese people to self-determination, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he would consider either inviting the leaders of the Independence Front and the National Front in the Sudan to come to London for consultations or sending a Minister to the Sudan for consultations there?

Mr. Eden

There is a Commission at work in the Sudan consisting of Sudanese to consider their future constitution, and I think we should see what they report before we consider any other steps.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

May I ask whether the principle which the right hon. Gentleman has enunciated in respect of the Sudan applies equally to Cyprus?

Mr. Speaker

I should think that is another question.

Mr. Eden

That is a country which is also now moving towards self-government. It is a principle which we have followed in many parts of the world.

Mr. Brockway

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking to the House that the recommendation of the Commission to which he has referred, and which I understand is for a wholly Sudanese cabinet, will be accepted by him?

Mr. Eden

I have said that we are awaiting the Report of the Commission, and we must await the Report. The hon. Gentleman says that he knows what is in the Report of the Commission. He knows more than I can possibly hope to know.