HC Deb 22 February 1956 vol 549 cc362-3
26. Mr. Callaghan

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why Her Majesty's Government continue to acquiesce in an arrangement under which British shipowners are required to notify the Egyptian Government of their intention to sail their ships to the Red Sea port of Elath.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

Her Majesty's Government have never accepted the contention of the Egyptian Government that they are entitled to exercise at the present time belligerent rights with regard to shipping going to the Gulf of Aqaba. They have, however, accepted these arrangements, initiated by right hon. Gentlemen opposite, on practical grounds pending a wider settlement.

Mr. Callaghan

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman realise that if Nelson had heard the last part of that Answer he would have turned in his grave? By what right does the Egyptian Government require our ships to notify them five years or six years after the close of hostilities, when our ships are moving on the high seas on their lawful occasion? How long are the Government going to sit down under it?

Mr. Lloyd

As I pointed out, these arrangements were initiated by right hon. Gentlemen opposite, and have been accepted on practical grounds pending a final settlement. The right hon. Member for Blyth (Mr. Robens), who generally speaks on foreign affairs for the Opposition, has had an opportunity of discussing these matters with the Egyptian Prime Minister. Were we to take the action described by the hon. Gentleman, I do not think that there would be much prospect of a settlement.

Mr. Callaghan

Why does this depend upon a final settlement? What has it to do with any dispute between the Israelis and the Egyptians where our ships sail? That is the point. Will the right hon. Gentleman take this matter up with the Egyptian Government once again?

Mr. Lloyd

The point is that there is at the present time only an armistice, and the Egyptian Government are contending that, as there is only an armistice, they are entitled to exercise belligerent rights. That is the point.

Mr. Shinwell

The Egyptian Government have no legal right to interfere with shipping in that area. Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman explain why the Prime Minister, some time ago, advised that we ought to send a warship to deal with the Egyptians?

Mr. Lloyd

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister advised that course before right hon. Gentlemen opposite had referred the matter to the United Nations. I quite agree that there are many unsatisfactory aspects of these matters, such as this exercise of belligerent rights and the kind of reprisal which other countries embark upon from time to time.

Captain Waterhouse

Is it not a fact that these abuses existed when right hon. Gentlemen opposite had the power to deal with them?