§ 2.40 p.m.
§ LORD VANSITTARTMy Lords, I beg to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether a statement can be published showing (a) the advantages or disadvantages that would accrue to countries other than Egypt from the construction of the High Dam at Aswan; (b) the advantages or disadvantages attendant upon disinclination to finance a régime as hostile as Colonel Nasser's.]
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, with regard to the first part of the noble Lord's Question, I do not think that a published statement would serve a useful purpose. In offering to participate in the international scheme to finance the High Aswan Dam, Her Majesty's Government have accepted the views of experts that the project is an essential part 583 of any overall scheme for developing the Nile Water resources as a whole.
With regard to the second part of the noble Lord's Question, it would convey a misleading impression if this matter were discussed as though it were one of financing a particular régime. What we have been considering is an international plan for a project of economic development which will take a great many years to complete and will have a lasting effect on the economy and living standards of Egypt, whatever Government may be in power in that country.
§ LORD VANSITTARTMy Lords, I am not trying to bother the noble Marquess, but even at my age I am consumed by a dipsomaniac thirst for information, and I am a little puzzled at the idea of financing Nasser.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, is the noble Marquess able to say that no undue pressure will be put upon the Sudanese Government to agree to the scheme unless they are entirely in favour of it?
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, certainly no pressure will be put upon the Sudanese Government to agree to the scheme. As I think I said some time ago, the Sudanese Government had agreed some time past, in principle, and I understand that discussions of detail are now proceeding between the Egyptian and the Sudanese Governments.
§ LORD VANSITTARTMy Lords, is no further information available on the advantages or disadvantages involved for other countries besides Egypt and the Sudan?
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, what the noble Lord was asking was whether I could set out in a statement the advantages and disadvantages. I am prepared to tell him that, so far as East African territories are concerned—which are, of course, affected—both the Sudanese and the Egyptian Governments have been informed of the interest which these territories have in any settlement of the disposal of the Nile Waters.