§ 4.0 p.m.
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, your Lordships will have heard the news of the abdication of King Farouk on Saturday evening. His infant son has been proclaimed King in his place and it has been decided to set up a Council of Regency. At present the Royal powers are vested in the Egyptian Government and Aly Maher Pasha, who was appointed Prime Minister before the abdication. I am sure the House will not expect me to comment upon the internal affairs of Egypt; still less to speculate upon the course of future developments. But I should like to take this opportunity to stress our interest—and I am sure the interest of all free nations—that a stable and orderly Administration should emerge from the present crisis.
The latest information from Egypt indicates that there have been no disturbances and no threat to foreign lives or interests. Nevertheless, in view of the unsettled conditions which inevitably result from events such as have recently taken place in Egypt, we have thought it right to authorise certain movements of British forces as a precautionary measure. Her Majesty's Chargé d' Affaires in Alexandria has, on my right honourable friend's instructions, made it clear to the Egyptian Prime Minister that Her Majesty's Government have no wish to intervene in the internal affairs of Egypt these military movements being solely related to possible danger to British lives. In the existing circumstances, my right 325 honourable friend also thought it right that Her Majesty's Ambassador should return to his post. Sir Ralph Stevenson is now on his way to Cairo.
§ EARL JOWITTMy Lords, may I just ask one question—I will not press it if it is inconvenient for the noble Marquess to answer it now? I gather from an announcement in the Press this morning that the new Sovereign, the small child, has assumed the title of King of the Sudan. In those circumstances, to whom is our Ambassador to be accredited? Is the noble Marquess in a position to tell me whether that point has been considered? He may wish to consider the matter before he gives an answer. Of course, there is on the face of the matter an obvious difficulty which may, or may not, have been considered.
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, I do not think the learned Earl will misunderstand if I say that I should prefer not to follow up what I have already said.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEMy Lords, may we take it that a further statement will be made before the House rises, because things may move very swiftly? We have a Minister who is interested in this matter. For example, a question I should like the noble Marquess to consider afterwards is whether Parliament is to be summoned. And is it true that Nahas Pasha has returned? These are questions which affect the course of negotiations. Are negotiations to be resumed? All these matters may come to a crisis and, therefore, when the noble Marquess has had an opportunity of reviewing the situation—including the important point made by my noble friend Lord Jowitt—will the noble Marquess make a statement before the House adjourns?
THE MARQUESS OF READINGThe situation is, of course, at the present moment in a somewhat fluid condition. If events of importance happen before the House goes into Recess I am sure that my right honourable friend will desire to acquaint another place with the situation, and I, equally, should follow the precedent of making a similar statement here.
VISCOUNT ELIBANKMay we take it that the point raised by the noble and learned Earl the Leader of the Opposition, as to whom Her Majesty's representative is to be accredited, is at this 326 moment under consideration by Her Majesty's Government?
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEAnd will Sir Ralph Stevenson have diplomatic status when he arrives at Cairo?
THE MARQUESS OF READINGObviously neither of the noble Lords who asked those two questions could expect that they would get an answer. The situation is being closely considered. Having regard to the position, I do not think that anyone would consider us as being particularly reticent if we did not make a further statement at this stage.