HL Deb 19 October 1954 vol 189 c432

3.5 p.m.

LORD KILLEARN

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether—

  1. (1) it is correct, as stated in the Egyptian Press of August 3 (i.e. just five days after the "Heads of Agreement" had been passed in both Houses of Parliament), that a claim for customs dues subsequent to the denunciation by Egypt of the Treaty of 1936, amounting to £58,268,000, has been put in to the British authorities: and if so,
  2. (2) whether any statement can be made in regard to this matter.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF READING)

My Lords, in a claim under this heading, a somewhat smaller figure than that given in the noble Lord's Question has been advanced by the Egyptian Government. Her Majesty's Government have, however, always maintained that they cannot accept claims based on the purported abrogation of the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty in 1951. The whole question of claims and counter-claims is being dealt with in the Agreement now under negotiation in Cairo, and I hope that your Lordships' House will permit me to make no further statement at this stage.

LORD KILLEARN

My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Marquess for his Answer.