HC Deb 04 December 1956 vol 561 c1044
45. Mr. Donnelly

asked the Prime Minister if he is now able to make a further statement on the situation in the Middle East, with particular reference to the course of events preceding the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Egypt.

The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)

I have been asked to reply.

I have nothing to add to the statement made yesterday by my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary.

Mr. Donnelly

Can the Lord Privy Seal give the House an assurance that no member of Her Majesty's Government had prior knowledge of Israel's intention to attack Egypt before that attack took place?

Mr. Butler

I think that we have gone into this very fully—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—and I have stated the Answers of the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister. I cannot add to those Answers today.