asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on relations between Her Majesty's Government and Egypt.

I am glad to be able to state that relations between Britain and Egypt are excellent.

While welcoming friendly relations between Her Majesty's Government and Egypt, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether Her Majesty's Government have accepted General Shazly as ambassador to this country? If so, is it dependent upon General Shazly's not resuming contacts with the previous subversive organisations with which he was in contact when he was in this country before?

I have nothing to add to my earlier answer to the Question posed by the hon. Member for Hackney, Central (Mr. Clinton Davis)—that the request is under consideration.

Bearing in mind the important problems of mutual interest between Britain and the Arab countries, will the Foreign Secretary take the initiative in organising a conference as soon as possible, preferably before the summer, between European and Arab countries to discuss these problems?

I know that my hon. Friend has just returned from Cairo and I shall certainly consider his suggestion with great care. The Arab countries have taken note of the statement made by the European countries, which has been welcomed by the Arab countries.