HC Deb 28 July 1952 vol 504 cc1095-7
The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Eden)

With permission, Sir, I should like to make a short statement on recent events in Egypt.

Hon. Members will have heard the news of the abdication of King Farouk on Saturday evening. His infant son has been proclaimed King in his place and it has been decided to set up a Council of Regency. At present the Royal powers are vested in the Egyptian Government under Aly Maher Pasha who was appointed Prime Minister before the abdication.

I am sure that the House will not expect me to comment upon the internal affairs of Egypt; still less to speculate upon the course of future developments. But I should like to take this opportunity to stress our interest and, I am sure, the interest of all free nations, that a stable and orderly administration should emerge from the present crisis.

My latest information from Egypt indicates that there have been no disturbances and no threat to foreign lives or interests. Nevertheless, in view of the unsettled conditions which inevitably result from events such as have recently taken place in Egypt, we have thought it right to authorise certain movements of British Forces as a precautionary measure.

Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires in Alexandria has, on my instructions, made it clear to the Egyptian Prime Minister that Her Majesty's Government have no wish to intervene in the internal affairs of Egypt: these military movements being solely related to possible danger to British lives.

In the existing circumstances, I have also thought it right that Her Majesty's Ambassador should return to his post. Sir Ralph Stevenson is now on his way to Cairo.

Mr. Attlee

In rising to ask a supplementary question, may I say how glad we are to see the right hon. Gentleman back, and express the hope that he is fully restored to health?

May I ask him what is the position with regard to the new King of Egypt? Is it correct that he has been proclaimed as King of Egypt and of the Sudan, and, in that case, what action will be taken by Her Majesty in reference to that assumption?

Mr. Eden

Yes, Sir. But first may I thank the right hon. Gentleman for his generous words. As regards the proclamation, I understand that it has been made in the terms which the right hon. Gentleman has referred to. Of course, that has been the consistent claim of Egypt, as we all know, for some considerable time. Equally, of course, it can in no way change the attitude of Her Majesty's Government or the policy they have pursued and will continue to pursue in respect of the Sudan.

Mr. Driberg

Arising out of that point, will it be necessary for new credentials to be presented, and, if so, will they be presented by the British Ambassador in a form which will not cause concern in Khartoum?

Mr. Eden

That is certainly a point which has already occurred to us. I do not think I should do very much good by commenting on it at the present time, except to repeat that our position in respect of the Sudan has not changed and will not change.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us if King Farouk is still an honorary general of the British Army, and what is his constitutional position? Now that he has more leisure on his hands, is he to be invited here to help with the Home Guard?

Mr. Eden

I shall be very glad to look into the constitutional position. I am not quite so familiar with it as perhaps I ought to be, since King Farouk was, of course, made a general of the British Army by the late Socialist Government.

Mr. Snow

When the right hon. Gentleman talks about mobilising and moving certain British Forces for the protection of British lives, does he mean British residents within Egypt or merely within the Canal Zone?

Mr. Eden

We have made certain precautionary movements in respect of Egypt. These precautionary movements affect the Canal Zone, and there are also certain naval movements of which the hon. Gentleman will be aware. They are, I repeat, purely precautionary. At the week-end we considered the matter very carefully, and we thought that it was quite essential to take these steps in case—we hope not—certain eventualities should occur.