§ 40. Mr. Shinwellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Anglo-Egyptian negotiations on the evacuation of British forces from the Canal Zone are still proceeding; and to what extent any of our troops are being withdrawn.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydThe answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir." The answer to the second part of the Question is "None."
§ Mr. ShinwellDoes that answer mean that no representations are being made at the present time by either side for a resumption of negotiations? Is it not the intention of Her Majesty's Government to make such representations at an early date?
§ Mr. LloydI have nothing to add to what my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said on 22nd March, which, I think, made the position perfectly clear.
§ Mr. ShinwellThe position was not made clear at all. The reply given to us by his right hon. Friend simply indicated a stalemate. I wish to know, as do many others, whether the Government— or the Egyptian Government—propose to resume negotiations.
§ Mr. LloydWhat my right hon. Friend said on 22nd March was that conditions of confidence had to be created before negotiations could be properly embarked upon. In addition, there has been a good deal of change and shift of power during the past few weeks, and perhaps it is just as well to see how things settle down.