§ Sir A. WILSONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether before again pressing the Egyptian Government to prolong the period of the Suez Canal concession on the lines advocated by Sir E. Korst, he will initiate a full inquiry into the probable effect of such action upon commercial relations between European and Asiatic countries and upon the commercial interests of the Dominions and India, and of British possessions and mandated territories east of Suez?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEAs my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, the Suez Canal concession does not expire until 1968. When the time comes to consider the question of the prolongation of the concession, the important considerations mentioned by him will no doubt be borne in mind.
§ Mr. THORNEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of Italian troops that have passed both to and from Eritrea by the Suez Canal; the dues paid by Italy for the passage of troops, and tonnage of war materials, through the Suez Canal for the past six months to the nearest available date?
§ Viscount CRANBORNEWhile I am not in possession of detailed figures, I understand that from February to November inclusive approximately 250,000 Italian troops passed through the Suez Canal from North to South, and that some 20,000 passed through from South to North. Dues payable at the rate of 10 gold francs are levied in respect of each individual. I have no information as to the tonnage of the war material which has passed through the Suez Canal.