HC Deb 17 December 1956 vol 562 cc109-10W
105. Mr. P. Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what day of what month Her Majesty's Government informed the United States Government that they no longer considered themselves bound under the Tripartite Declaration to defend Egypt against an armed attack by Israel; and what assurance they gave regarding their policy in relation to Israel in the event of an attack by Egypt.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the Answer given to the right hon. Member for Grimsby (Mr. Younger) on 22nd November. The view which we had held for some time that the Tripartite Declaration was inapplicable in Egypt's defence was stated in the course of meetings with the representatives of the United States and France on 29th October. There was general agreement with this view. In answer to the second part of the Question, no specific assurance on the point was sought or given, but Her Majesty's Government's position remains as so often stated in this House, and most recently in answer to the right hon. Member for Blyth (Mr. Robens) on 19th November.