HC Deb 01 May 1957 vol 569 cc178-9
11. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when do the treaties or agreements now in force between the United Kingdom, Sudan, and Egypt in regard to the control and use of the water of the River Nile expire.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

The two agreements now in force in regard to the control and use of the water of the River Nile are between Her Majesty's Government and Egypt only. Neither contains any provision fixing the date on which it expires.

Mr. Brockway

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman approach the Egyptian Government about this matter in view of the fact that development is being seriously held up not only in the Sudan but in Uganda and Tanganyika?

Mr. Lloyd

I agree that it is desirable that some sort of technical conference of those concerned—including many more States or territories than Great Britain and Egypt alone—should be held.