HC Deb 08 December 1952 vol 509 cc15-6
15. Mr. Fenner Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement regarding the negotiations between General Neguib and Sir Ralph Stevenson on the situation in the Sudan.

Mr. Eden

As I told the House on 6th November, the Egyptian Government's comments on the new constitution for the Sudan raised a number of important points. Her Majesty's Ambassador in Cairo is now discussing these questions with the Egyptian Government. But I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Mr. Brockway

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be able to make a statement on this matter? Does he still hope that the elections in the Sudan will take place before the end of this year?

Mr. Eden

Personally, I should have liked the elections to have taken place before some of the other complicated matters were settled, but we have not been able to agree on that, and that may have the effect of delaying the elections. I hope to give the House some form of progress report before it rises for the Christmas Recess.