HC Deb 21 March 1940 vol 358 c2131
89. Mr. Arthur Henderson

asked the Prime Minister whether the commerce of any country receives free passage through the Suez Canal?

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler)

All shipping using the Suez Canal is subject to the payment of transit dues, except for certain categories of ships belonging to the Egyptian Government, of which a list is supplied to the Suez Canal Company annually. Ships on this list of less than 300 tons net burden are wholly exempt from dues, and those of more than 300 tons burden are exempt up to an annual total of 3,500 tons.

Mr. Henderson

Is it not also a fact that British and French ships pay exactly the same transit dues as those of any other country, including Italy?

Mr. Butler

There is a schedule of dues to which international shipping has to conform.

Mr. Henderson

Is it a fact that there is no differentiation between British and French ships and the shipping of any other country?

Mr. Butler

Yes, Sir.