25. Mr. Philips Priceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in future negotiations with the Govern- 418 ment of Egypt about the finance of the Aswan Dam, he will undertake that no commitment will be made without consultation with the Government of the Sudan.
§ The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Commander Allan Noble)In any matter connected with the Nile waters, Her Majesty's Government would, as in the past, certainly bear in mind the interest of the Sudan and the other riparian States, including especially our own East African territories. In present circumstances, the Question is purely hypothetical.
Mr. Philips PriceIs the Minister aware that the Governments of the Sudan and of Egypt do not altogether see eye to eye on this matter of the Aswan Dam, the building of which would seriously affect the water position in the Upper Nile?
§ Commander NobleThe rights of the Sudan are fully safeguarded in the Aswan Dam project. Not only was prior Sudanese consent necessary for the proposed division of the Nile waters, but she also had to agree the figure of compensation to be paid by Egypt for the flooding in the Sudan.
§ Mr. StokesWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind that this Aswan High Dam project is nonsense? Is he aware that it would cost £450 million to build and that Egypt cannot possibly ever pay for it? They can get all the water they want for about one-third of the amount of money.
§ Commander NobleAs I said in my original Answer, in present circumstances the Question is purely hypothetical.