§ 50. Mr. Peytonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of departure of the last British troops from the Canal Zone, he will now stop the export of arms to Egypt.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydNo, Sir. Her Majesty's Government's policy on arms to the Middle East countries, including Egypt, remains as stated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for East Aberdeenshire, (Sir R. Boothby) on 28th March.
§ Mr. PeytonIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that there will be some disappointment about that answer, and that public opinion in this country is inclined to demand such a cessation of exports, at least until such time as the Egyptian Government commence to honour both international agreements and international law and resume the normal courtesies of international behaviour?
§ Mr. LloydI must say to my hon. Friend that I think it is unfortunate that he should add those comments to a Question about the departure of British troops from the Canal Zone. That agreement has been most punctilliously observed by both sides.
§ Mr. ShinwellBut are we to understand that Her Majesty's Government are still exporting arms to Egypt at the present time? Is that the position? Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman regard that as a contribution to peace in the Middle East, which apparently is the objective of Her Majesty's Government?
§ Mr. LloydWhat I said in answer to my hon. Friend was that our policy on the export of arms is governed by the answer of 28th March, which I invite the right hon. Gentleman to read again. Specific deliveries to any particular country come within the practice, which I have referred to before in answer to the right hon. Gentleman, that I would not give particulars of specific transactions.
§ Mr. ShinwellBut is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that I am not asking him to give particulars or details of the export of arms to any particular country; I am merely asking him whether the Government are now at the present time exporting arms to Egypt?
§ Mr. LloydIf the right hon. Gentleman will put down a question which deals with a particular period, I will see whether I can answer it.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonIs my right hon. and learned Friend sure that none of the British arms exported to Egypt will be sent to North Africa to be used against our French Allies?
§ Mr. LloydI have not said that at the present time arms are being exported to Egypt. What I have said is that the policy with regard to them is as laid down.
§ Mr. RobensIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman satisfied as at this date that the balance of arms in the Middle East is as complete as he has indicated that he wishes it to be?
§ Mr. LloydI think that at the present time the balance is as has been indicated before in this House—I would say rather in favour of Israel.