HC Deb 25 April 1956 vol 551 cc1770-2
25. Mr. J. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations he has made to the Egyptian Government regarding their radio propaganda beamed upon the Colony and Protectorate of Aden.

Mr. Nutting

Radio Cairo broadcasts no special programme for Aden but representations have been made on several occasions to the Egyptian Government about the anti-British tone of Radio Cairo.

Mr. Johnson

As the sheiks of the Protectorate are now beginning to look to Egypt for inspiration, when will the Foreign Secretary wake up and discover what is happening in that part of Arabia? There are incidents taking place already on the borders of the Yemen. Will the right hon. Gentleman look into this matter and do something about it?

Mr. Nutting

That raises issues rather different from those raised in the hon. Member's Question on the Order Paper. So far as the protection of Aden is concerned, I assure him that Her Majesty's Government will take all necessary steps against any incursions from any quarter.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

Can my right hon. Friend enlarge upon the precise reasons why we do not take more effective action with Egypt concerning this propaganda? Is there some rather unfortunate technical agreement in existence?

Mr. Nutting

I do not know to what my noble Friend is referring. So far as broadcasts in the Middle East are concerned, I have already replied to Questions on that matter and have said that we are taking steps to improve the quantity and the quality.

Mr. Rhodes

Is it not true that we have no medium-wave broadcasts to anywhere in the Middle East, and that until we have them nobody can listen?

Mr. Nutting

No, Sir. The hon. Member, I think, is not correct about his facts. If he puts down a Question precisely about the medium wave, I will seek to answer it.

Major Legge-Bourke

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will impress upon Egypt that until she ceases these anti-British campaigns of one sort or another, we shall not be prepared to concede anything further to her on the Aswan Dam or anything else?

Mr. Nutting

That scarcely arises out of a Question about radio propaganda to Aden.