§ LORD SYDENHAMMy Lords, I beg to put the Question of which I have given Notice— namely, to ask His Majesty's Government whether the terms of the contemplated settlement in Egypt and of the British Mandate for Palestine, in both of which questions the vital interests of the Empire are involved, will be open for discussion in Parliament before they become operative.
THE EARL OF CRAWFORDMy Lords, my noble friend may rest assured that no change will be made in the relation between this country and Egypt without adequate opportunities being given for discussion in Parliament.
THE EARL OF CRAWFORDMy Lords, the text of this Mandate, as submitted to the Council, has already been placed in the 225 possession of your Lordships. The draft, however, has not yet received the final approval of the Council of the League, and should there be any general wish on the part of the House to discuss the Draft Mandate at this stage I do not feel that any objection would be taken by His Majesty's Government.
§ LORD SYDENHAMMay I take it from the noble Earl that the Mandate will not become operative till next session, when an opportunity for this House to discuss it will arise?
THE EARL OF CRAWFORDI do not know how far the Question covers that point, but if Lord Sydenham is here, tomorrow, perhaps he would put that to me then and I will give him a special answer.