§ 22. Mr. Swinglerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what interference with oil supplies to the United Kingdom and other Western States has taken place since the commencement of the Anglo-French military operations against Egypt; and what action Her Majesty's Government are taking.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerThe three pumping stations on the Iraq Petroleum Company's pipeline in Syria have been destroyed.
The Saudi Arabian Government have cut off supplies of crude oil to the Bahrein refinery and prohibited the loading of British and French tankers at Saudi ports.
As a result of the blocking of the Suez Canal by Egypt all tankers have been diverted round the Cape.
As regards the future, it is too early to make any further statement, which will have to await the result of discussions with all concerned.
§ Mr. SwinglerAs the Government are responsible for provoking this interference with oil supplies to not only this country but many other States, what offers have the Government made to help to repair the damage which has been done and What compensation do they propose to pay to those who will be the victims of the shortages thus caused?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerI could not make a comprehensive reply to that question, but I would point out that, according to information that we have received, the three pumping stations of the Iraq Petroleum Company appear to have been destroyed by units of the Syrian Army despite the assurances given to Her Majesty's Ambassador that life and property would be protected.
§ Mr. RobensMight I ask whether this pathetic recital of events was part of the war aims of the Government?
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeMay we take it that the clearance of the Suez Canal is still in the forefront of Her Majesty's Government's policy and that they are not now disposed to wait upon the convenience of Egypt in this matter?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerI can assure my noble Friend that the clearing of the Canal after the wanton and premeditated destruction caused in it by the Egyptian authorities is our aim, and we hope and believe that in future we can keep the Canal open for the benefit of all nations of the world.
§ Mr. PagetAre we to take it that Her Majesty's Government, having lost their nerve half-way through the operation, have now decided to get it back again?