§ 2.47 p.m.
§ LORD VANSITTARTMy Lords, I beg to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any action has been taken to remind the Egyptian Government of its obligations under the recent Agreement on the Sudan, whereby the Sudanese were to decide their own destiny without pressure, intimidation or other illicit and corrupt practices.]
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF READING)My Lords, Her Majesty's Chargé ďAffaires in Cairo has protested to the Egyptian Government on several occasions against actions inconsistent with the obligation undertaken by the two Governments to preserve a free and neutral atmosphere for the elections in the Sudan. But such actions in favour of one particular party often have the opposite effect to that intended and only serve to call forth protests by other parties. The noble Lord will have observed that a note of protest by the U.M.M.A. party was delivered to the Electoral Commission on the 17th October.
§ LORD VANSITTARTI thank the noble Marquess for his statement. I am glad to hear that these episodes have not been allowed to pass unnoticed, but I must observe that the breach of this Treaty inspires little confidence in Egyptian good faith.