§ 4. Mr. F. Macleanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Egyptian Government is now allowing British tankers, bound for Haifa, to pass through the Suez Canal.
§ 5. Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to make a statement on the refusal of the Egyptian Government to permit British tankers to carry oil for Haifa through the Suez Canal.
§ Mr. NuttingSo far as I am aware, the situation in this respect has not changed since the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Members for Darwen (Mr. Fletcher-Cooke) and Leicester, North-West (Mr. Janner) on 30th January.
§ Mr. MacleanWhat action are the Government taking to safeguard our rights in this matter?
§ Mr. NuttingThis matter, as my hon. Friend knows well, is not the only problem with which we have to deal in the Middle East, nor, indeed, the only problem with which we have to deal in our relations with Egypt. I would ask the House not to press for immediate action in this particular case. We shall certainly continue to do our best to ensure 1290 that international law and British interests are upheld.
§ Mr. JannerIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that international law is being broken here? It is a very serious matter in so far as we are concerned. Will he not do something to press the matter a little in view of the fact that it has been before the House for such a considerable time?
§ Mr. NuttingThe Security Council, as the hon. Gentleman knows, passed a resolution asking the Egyptian Government to honour their obligations under the 1888 Convention. So far no action has been taken in this matter, but I would ask the hon. Gentleman to believe that Her Majesty's Government will do everything possible to get a solution of this problem. It is complicated by other issues, and we do not wish to press it above certain other problems that are outstanding between ourselves and the Egyptian Government.