§ 47. Mr. Rankinasked the Prime Minister why His Majesty's Government did not consult the Egyptian Government before he proposed that the United States of America and France should send token forces to her territory.
§ The Prime MinisterAs I hoped to make clear in my statement in the House on 30th January, what I have in mind is that the burden of providing for the defence of the Middle East should be more evenly shared. My remarks were intended as a general statement of our attitude and not as a specific proposal. There was, therefore, no reason to consult the other Governments concerned in advance.
§ Mr. RankinHowever laudible the desires of the right hon. Gentleman might have been on the occasion when he made this proposal, is he aware that we are led to believe that this invitation to invade Egypt caused embarrassment to his own Foreign Office, and was regarded as quite an irregular method of procedure?
§ The Prime MinisterI am so much obliged to the hon. Gentleman for informing me of matters which should certainly be brought to my attention from time to time within the organisation of His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. RankinBut is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this statement was published in the American Press, in the "New York Herald Tribune," and that he should have been reading the American Press?
§ Mr. SpeakerWe are due to have a debate on foreign affairs for two days and these matters can be discussed more properly then.