HC Deb 27 November 1956 vol 561 cc207-8
9. Mr. E. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for War on how many occasions the Egyptian forces have broken the cease-fire agreement since it came into force.

Mr. Hare

There have been three clear breaches of the cease-fire agreement.

Mr. Johnson

Does not that show that the word of the Egyptian Government is absolutely valueless? What does my right hon. Friend propose to do about those breaches of the cease-fire agreement?

Mr. Hare

All these cases have been reported in the Press. There were three occasions on which the Egyptians fired on allied forward troops. In one case the fire was not returned. In the others minimum firing was used for self-defence. These masters were reported immediately to the United Nations.

Mr. Fernyhough

What were the casualties on either side through these breaches of the truce?

Mr. Hare

There were no casualties on our side, and as far as I know there was none on the other.