HC Deb 30 May 1956 vol 553 cc235-6
43. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now direct the attention of the United Nations Organisation to the refusal of Egypt to permit vessels of any nationality free passage through the Suez Canal.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

The right hon. Gentleman is aware that the Security Council has debated this question and has called upon Egypt to terminate these restrictions. Her Majesty's Government have made it clear on a number of occasions that we regard these restrictions as part of the dispute between Egypt and Israel; and we believe that the best way of removing them is to work for a general settlement of that dispute.

Mr. Shinwell

Is it not an extraordinary situation when Egypt can defy the whole United Nations organisation and a decision of the Security Council? What is the use of the Security Council and the United Nations organisation if Egypt, and countries of this kind, can defy those bodies?

Mr. Lloyd

It is very regrettable that the resolution of the United Nations has not been carried out, but then the question arises of the methods to be taken to enforce such a resolution. The fact is that Egypt maintains that there is still a state of war between Israel and Egypt and that it entitles Egypt to impose these restrictions. We do not accept that view, but the way to remove the matter from controversy is to get a settlement of the main problem. Some progress is being made at the present time.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

Can my right hon. Friend say whether these restrictions were the subject of conversations between the United Kingdom Ambassador and Colonel Nasser?

Mr. Lloyd

Not without notice.

Mr. Paget

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean when he says that this is part of a dispute between Egypt and Israel? Are not these British ships on their lawful occasions which are being stopped? Secondly, when the right hon. Gentleman asks, "What are we to do about it?", what do we keep a Navy for?

Mr. Lloyd

Of course, we had the same Navy in rather different circumstances when these restrictions were first imposed. I still believe that the matter will be satisfactorily solved only when we get a settlement of the main dispute. With regard to that, the mission of the Secretary-General was successful. There are current discussions going on in the United Nations about this matter. This is a more probable way of getting the restrictions removed than threats against Egypt in this House.