§ 2.41. p.m.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question of which I have given private notice: namely, to ask the noble Earl the Leader of the House whether arrangements would be made for the Egyptian Financial Agreement to be debated on a Motion asking for the approval of your Lordships' House.
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, as your Lordships are aware, my right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer made a full statement in another place yesterday, when your Lordships were not sitting, on the financial agreement with the Egyptian Government, now the Government of the United Arab Republic. The same afternoon, a White Paper containing the terms of the Agreement was laid before both Houses of Parliament and was made available to your Lordships in the Printed Paper Office. In the circumstances, therefore, I suggest that your Lordships would not wish me to repeat that statement here to-day—although, if the House thinks it still desirable or necessary, I shall be glad to do so. I imagine, however, that your Lordships will on this occasion prefer to take it as read, and allow us to proceed on that basis.
As regards the precise arrangements for the debate for which the noble Viscount has asked, perhaps your Lord- 650 ships would prefer to take a little time to examine this rather complicated document in detail before we make definite arrangements, through the usual channels, for a day to be appointed for the debate, and as to the precise form the debate should take. But, of course, we will provide every facility for a debate in due course.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I must say that most of the Answer that has been given is irrelevant to the Question that I put. We are well aware that there is a White Paper in the Printed Paper Office, and it is being studied. But there are certain things which call for some urgency in the opportunity of debate. My Question really is to the Leader of the House as to whether arrangements will be made in the form that we ask for it, namely, a Government Motion asking for the approval of your Lordships' House for the White Paper. That is the Question that I want answered.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, it is for the Government to consider the form of the Motion, but there will certainly be time for debate, and I think the usual channels provide the best method of arranging it.
§ VISCOUNT STANSGATEMy Lords, does that mean that the Government are uncertain as to whether it is likely to receive the approval of your Lordships' House?