HC Deb 28 January 1953 vol 510 cc996-7
26. Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made in the talks with the Egyptian Government on the question of the Sudan.

38. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to make a statement as to the present state of negotiations between Her Majesty's Government and the Egyptian Government on the future of the Sudan.

60. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a further statement on the progress of negotiations on the future of the Sudan.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Eden)

I have nothing at present to add to the statement I made in this House on 20th January last.

Mr. Wyatt

Is it not a fact that the only obstacle now to agreement is the question of the guarantee to Southern Sudan? Is it not also a fact that any guarantee we can secure will only extend over three years; that we cannot guarantee the rights of Southern Sudan after three years? In that case is it not rather absurd to stick on this one point when by agreement with the Egyptians on it there might be a far better atmosphere for discussions on the Canal Zone and it might lead to a sensible result in connection with the Middle East Defence Organisation?

Mr. Eden

The hon. Member will be aware from the Press this morning that there were discussions yesterday between us and the Egyptian Government, which are being continued today. I do not think that it would really help those discussions, or the result which I feel sure the House will wish, for me to reply to a question of that kind, which I should have thought might only weaken our negotiators there.