§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Harold Macmillan)With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I will make a statement on the Sudan.
The Sudanese House of Representatives yesterday passed a Declaration in favour of independence, and requested the Co-domini to recognise this Declaration forthwith. It has throughout been Her Majesty's Government's desire to fall in with Sudanese wishes over the final constitutional processes. Her Majesty's Government, therefore, after consultation with the Egyptian Government, have issued a statement welcoming the Declaration by the Sudanese Parliament. Her Majesty's Government are at present consulting the Egyptian Government about the formal steps which are necessary.
§ Mr. GaitskellMay I associate my right hon. and hon. Friends with the welcome conveyed by Her Majesty's Government to this step by the Sudanese Parliament? May I also ask the Foreign Secretary whether any statement is being made on the subject by the Egyptian Government?
§ Mr. MacmillanAn announcement is being made by both Governments. I think there is complete agreement as to the course which will be followed. If I am allowed to say so, I think what the right hon. Member for Leeds, South (Mr. Gaitskell) has said on behalf of his party is a good welcome for this step because it shows, I think, that the whole House will be unanimous in wishing well to the new Sudanese State.