HC Deb 21 July 1954 vol 530 cc1352-3
30. Mr. T. Reid

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to replace the Anglo-Iraq 25-year treaty of 1930 by a new treaty. as provided by Article 11, in view of the interests of both countries now protected by the treaty.

The Minister of State (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd)

Although this is a matter which Her Majesty's Government have constantly in mind, I have no statement to make to the House at the present time.

Mr. Reid

May I ask if Iraq has a policy of neutralism, and, if so, how can a treaty of mutual security be signed by us?

Mr. Lloyd

I do not think it is true at all to say that Iraq has a policy of neutralism.

Mr. Patrick Maitland

Is my hon. Friend aware of the bedevilling influence of the Egyptian Government in this situation, in that Colonel Nasser, the Egyptian Premier, opening his Government's "Voice of the Arabs" broadcast programme from Cairo the other day, called upon all Arab States to repudiate their alliances with the West?