§ Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official confirmation of the statement reported to have been made by Zaghloul Pasha in the Egyptian Chamber of Deputies that he rejects the declaration of February, 1922, and that his policy stands for the complete independence of the Sudan as well as of Egypt; and, if so, whether, in view of his own declaration that His Majesty's Government stand by 1368W the declaration of February, 1922, he will defer a personal meeting with Zaghloul Pasha until the Egyptian Government shall have accepted the conditions on which the British Protectorate was terminated and the validity of the instrument which constitutes the legal title of Egyptian independence?
§ Mr. PONSONBYThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I would, however, remind the right hon. Gentleman that the declaration of February, 1922, whilst constituting the legal title of Egyptian independence, contemplated the conclusion of agreements in regard to certain outstanding questions as a result of free and friendly discussion, the postponement of which would not increase the prospects of a satisfactory settlement.