HC Deb 21 June 1954 vol 529 cc23-4
44. Mr. Hoy

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he has taken to protect British interests against the Agreement reached between Mr. Aristotle Onassis and Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

An Arabic text of the Agreement was published in Jedda on 7th June. The terms of the Agreement are now being carefully studied.

Mr. Hoy

Is the Minister aware that that does not add very much to the answer that he gave to a similar Question a month ago? Does the Agreement prohibit or show flag discrimination against Great Britain which will prevent British tankers carrying oil and might involve us in the loss of approximately £10 million in invisible exports?

Mr. Lloyd

The hon. Member says that this is the same answer as was given a month ago, but since then the Agreement has been published and we have been able to get it translated, although we have not yet given it the fullest study that it deserves. There are certainly some disquieting features about the Agreement and the attention of the Saudi Arabian Government has already been drawn to some of these by Her Majesty's representative.