BRITISH DECISION TO WITHDRAW TROOPS FROM EGYPT KEENLY DEBATED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 106, 9 May 1946, Page 5

BRITISH DECISION TO WITHDRAW TROOPS FROM EGYPT KEENLY DEBATED

OPPOSITION AMENDMENT DEFEATED Received 8 p.m. LONDON, May 8. Following a sharp debate, the House of Commons last night rejected an Opposition amendment asking for an adjournment to consider the Government’s decision to withdraw all British troops from Egypt. The voting was 327 against the amendment and 158 in favour of it. Mr. Attlee made the announcement that the troops were to be withdrawn, and said that negotiations are to take place on the ways, means and time of the withdrawal, and the question of a future

alliance, including the question i the event of war and the defence The announcement resulted in a sharp debate, with the Opposition led by Mr. Churchill, sharply criticising the Government’s decision. It was pointed out during the debate that twice had Dominions’ troops saved Egypt from invasion, and that the Dominions should have had a full say in framing the British policy, which had been decided by the Government without consulting Parliament.

if giving Egypt military aid in of the Suez Canal. Mr. Churchill said he was bound to place on record that the Government had not consulted anyone else in the country and had acted entirely on its own initiative, therefore the whole responsibility must rest on them. “The Opposition is bound to mark the gravity of the occasion,” he added. "Things are built up with great labour and cast away with great shame and folly.” Mr. Churchill meved an adjournment to discuss “a matter of public importance, that is to say, a statement concerning the negotiations with Egypt.” The wnole Opposition rose in their seats to support him.