HC Deb 06 April 1955 vol 539 cc1164-6
48. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further consideration the Security Council of the United Nations has given to the questions of the interference by the Egyptian Government with shipping in the Suez Canal and of the continued detention by that Government of the Israeli ship "Bat Galim"; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nutting

The Security Council last discussed the question of shipping in the Suez Canal, and the case of the "Bat Galim," on 13th January this year. The Egyptian Government had previously announced that, the" Bat Galim's" crew having been acquitted and released, they were willing to release the cargo and the ship itself. The President of the Security Council welcomed these steps so far as they went and adjourned the Council meeting. The vessel is not under detention but is awaiting collection by the Government of Israel or some authorised agent. Meanwhile the Council remains seized of the dispute.

Her Majesty's Government have frequently made it clear that they do not accept the legality of the restrictions placed by the Egyptian Government on Israeli traffic through the Suez Canal. These restrictions are, however, part and parcel of the general state of hostility between the Arab States and Israel. The best hope of bringing them to an end, therefore, lies in improving relations between the two sides. This remains the constant purpose of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. H. Morrison

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember that the former Foreign Secretary, when he was in opposition, urged that this was an intolerable situation, and that we should send a gunboat into the Suez Canal to solve it?

Mr. Nutting

Yes, Sir, and I also remember that the former Government subsequently took the matter to the United Nations, where it now is, which makes it a matter of international responsibility and not one for Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Shinwell

The right hon. Gentleman has stated that the" Bat Galim" is waiting to be collected by the Israeli Government, but two months have elapsed since the decision was made. Why the delay? Who was responsible for it?

Mr. Nutting

The Israeli Government are unwilling to remove this vessel unless the Egyptian Government will allow it to continue its journey through the Canal, but the Egyptian Government are not prepared to concede that right. They have offered to release the ship and the cargo to the Government of Israel, but the Government of Israel have not so far responded or shown willingness to accept the vessel or to take it away.

Mr. Shinwell

How long are the United Nations or Her Majesty's Government to tolerate this shocking violation of a United Nations decision and interference with free passage through an international highway?

Mr. Nutting

The right hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that traffic through the Suez Canal today is, in point of fact, at an all-time high level, and is increasing. When he talks of an unwarranted restriction of passage through the Canal, perhaps the right hon. Gentleman is not giving the full story. Her Majesty's Government's view on the restrictions on Israeli cargoes has been made plain inside and outside the Security Council. This dispute and this restriction arise out of the state of hostility between Israel and the Arab States, and the best hope is to bring about a settlement of that dispute, which is what Her Majesty's Government are endeavouring to do.