§ 31. Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reduction there has been in the propaganda directed from Cairo Radio against the United Kingdom and her territories since the Minister of State's visit to Egypt.
§ Mr. George ThomsonI regret that there has been no reduction in Cairo Radio's propaganda campaign against Her Majesty's Government's policies since my visit to the United Arab Republic.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamBut can the Minister point to one concrete example of advantage arising from this visit? Would it not have been preferable to have had much more careful diplomatic preparation before the hon. Member went to Egypt?
§ Mr. ThomsonNo. Although there may be many criticisms in connection with my visit to the United Arab Republic, I think that lack of preparation is scarcely one of them. It was certainly prepared for over a very long time, and delayed on many occasions. The United Arab Republic is a very important nation in the Middle East, and I think it is not a good thing that, over a long period, this country should have less than normal relations with her. I think it was worth trying. I think it is worth going on trying.