HL Deb 06 May 1964 vol 257 cc1229-30

2.35 p.m.

LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYE

My Lords, I beg leave 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 they are satisfied that the Egyptian Government have fulfilled their obligations and undertakings contained in the 959 Anglo-Egyptian Agreement for Compensation of British Nationals; and if not, whether Her Majesty's Government will state when any failure of undertaking has taken or is taking place.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF DUNDEE)

My Lords, before August, 1962, there were several matters in which Her Majesty's Government considered the United Arab Republic to be in breach of the 1959 Agreement; notably the failure to transfer funds under Article V, to provide information under Annex B (4) (ii), to compensate British ex-officials under Article III (f) and to resume payment and transfer of pensions under Article III (e). All these matters were provided for under the Exchange of Notes of August 7, 1962, which was fully discussed in your Lordships' House on several occasions. Since these Notes were signed, Her Majesty's Government have no reason to consider that the Government of the United Arab Republic have failed to fulfil their obligations under the agreement.

LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYE

My Lords, may I thank the Minister for his reply, which is satisfactory so far as it goes? Could I put to him this: that if it had not been for the attention of your Lordships' House in 1962, it is very doubtful whether these breaches of the Agreement would have been brought to light? May I ask him whether, if there are breaches in the future, he will take steps to inform Parliament of such breaches? Because the alternative would be for us to put down periodic Questions for an indefinite time in the future.

THE EARL OF DUNDEE

My Lords, I do not think I can promise my noble friend that we would necessarily volunteer information to Parliament whenever we were not quite satisfied with anything that was happening under this Agreement. Perhaps my noble friend's safest course—though it may be barren speculation—would be to keep on putting down his Question.

LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYE

My Lords, I will.

Back to