§ VISCOUNT SIMONMy Lords, may I with the permission of the House ask a question of which private notice has been given? I wish to ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any statement to make on Egypt.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DOMINION AFFAIRS (VISCOUNT ADDISON)My Lords, my right honourable friend the Prime Minister has just made the following statement in another place. I will reply to the noble Lord's question in the same terms:
I must emphasize in the first place that the exchanges of views which have taken place in London between my right honourable friend and the Egyptian Prime Minister were conversations on a personal and exploratory basis and not negotiations. They were conducted on the understanding that they did not commit either Government, and that they were to be treated as confidential.
I can only regret, therefore, that incomplete reports from Egypt should have appeared in the Press. These reports deal with only isolated aspects of the talks, without reference to the whole range of the other matters dealt with in the conversations. In view of what I have said as to the nature of the conversations, I am sure that your Lordships will not wish to press for further details at this moment.
§ VISCOUNT SIMONMy Lords, I would wish to thank the noble Viscount the Leader of the House for answering the question as he has done. I thoroughly appreciate the suggestion he makes. Would it be inconvenient to ask whether we are likely to have a rather fuller statement later on?
§ VISCOUNT ADDISONI am sure that we shall be anxious to make as full a statement as we can as soon as possible.