§ 4.5 p.m.
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF READING)My Lords, may I also intervene briefly in order to make a short statement on the Sudan. The Sudanese House of Representatives yesterday passed a Declaration in favour of independence, and requested the Co-domini to recognise this Declaration forthwith. It has throughout been Her Majesty's Government's desire to fall in with Sudanese wishes over the final constitutional processes. Her Majesty's Government therefore, after consultation with the Egyptian Government, have issued a statement welcoming the Declaration by the Sudanese Parliament. Her Majesty's Government are at present consulting the Egyptian Government about the formal steps which are necessary.
§ EARL JOWITTMy Lords, on behalf of noble Lords on this side of the House, I should like to welcome the statement Lord Reading has just made. As the noble Marquess has said, we have always been anxious that the Sudanese should develop along whatever lines they thought right. They have made their choice and we welcome the choice they have made. I am sure we should all wish to tender to them our hope that they may get through what is bound to be a difficult period in the inception. We should also convey to them our hope that if we can in any way at any time help them, Her Majesty's Government will be only too ready to do so.
LORD REAMy Lords, I would associate noble Lords on these Benches with the words of the noble and learned Earl who leads the Opposition. The Sudan, of course, has always been in a particular relationship to this country, a very favoured and rather affectionate relationship. As the noble and learned Earl has said, we are very pleased to see them at last setting up their own Government. The noble Marquess said that Her Majesty's Government have issued a statement welcoming the Declaration of the Sudanese Parliament. I am glad to think that, through the normal channels of the Press and otherwise, this welcome will reach the Sudanese as coming from all Parties in this country.
THE MARQUESS OF READINGIf I may say one word more, I should like to thank noble Lords for what they have said and assure them that we realise to the full that the Sudanese have a considerable task in building up the new construction of their independent State, and that any assistance which they may ask from Her Majesty's Government will be most willingly given.