HC Deb 30 November 1955 vol 546 cc2287-8
20. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how far agreement has been come to between Her Majesty's Government and the Egyptian Government that notice should be given to the Egyptian authorities when British vessels are about to enter the Gulf of Aqaba in order to safeguard such vessels against attack.

Mr. H. Macmillan

No formal agreement has been made between Her Majesty's Government and the Egyptian Government about shipping proceeding to the Gulf of Aqaba. Ships sailing to Aqaba from the north are continuing to notify the Customs authorities at Port Said and Suez. Ships from the south now notify Her Majesty's Embassy in Cairo, who inform the Egyptian authorities. It is hoped that in future they will be able to notify the Jordan authorities at Amman and Aqaba instead.

Mr. Shinwell

Have we sunk so low that we have to acquaint the Egyptian Government of the presence of British vessels in international waters, which are regarded as free to the shipping of all nations? Is that really necessary? If some arrangement has been made through diplomatic channels—apparently through the Ambassador in Cairo—for the freedom of British vessels, does that also apply to other vessels?

Mr. Macmillan

We have always maintained our legal position, but we have adopted a de facto arrangement.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Are not these ships engaged upon their lawful occasions? If so, by whose law are they not permitted so to travel?

Mr. Macmillan

As I say, we are maintaining our legal position, but for practical purposes we have accepted a situation which enables practical things to be carried out; the ultimate solution of this problem is one which we are seeking with the greatest possible effort, in order to bring the truce to an end and turn it into a peace.

Mr. Shinwell

What is the use of the right hon. Gentleman saying that we maintain our legal position in respect of the freedom of British vessels in international waters and, at the same time, saying that for practical purposes—whatever they are—we have to acquaint the Egyptian Government of the intention of British vessels to come into those waters? Is not this an intolerable position?

Mr. Macmillan

If the right hon. Gentleman does not know the difference between a de facto and a de jure position, I cannot explain it to him.

Mr. Younger

Is the right hon. Gentleman really asking us to believe that the Egyptians are going to pay any attention to our legal objections when, in fact, we are giving way to them upon the only thing that matters to them, which is to have British ships comply with their illegal regulations?

Mr. Macmillan

There are, of course, difficulties in the position which we have adopted, but I think it is the most practical one in the circumstances.