§ 34. Mr. P. Noel-Bakerasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation at what hour on what day instructions were given to British shipowners to divert their vessels from the Suez Canal area; and what compensation Her Majesty's Government intend to pay to the owners whose vessels were diverted from the north or south entrance to the canal around the Cape.
§ Mr. WatkinsonHer Majesty's Government issued no instructions to British shipowners to divert their vessels from the Suez Canal area. An Admiralty announcement in the early evening of 30th October advised merchant shipping to keep clear of the Suez Canal and Egyptian and Israeli waters. It is not intended to pay compensation to shipowners who have diverted their vessels round the Cape.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerSince the Admiralty warned British ships not to go into the Canal on the afternoon of the 30th, is it not clear that there were no British ships in the Canal when our bombing started against Egypt; and, if so, why did the British Government say that the operation was undertaken in order to protect £50 million of British shipping and hundreds of British citizens in their passage through the Canal?
§ Mr. WatkinsonWhat is quite clear is that at the time when it was quite obvious that Israeli forces might reach the Canal at any moment, the Admiralty issued to the shipping of all nations a general warning, which was broadcast by every possible means and which was available to be received by every type of ship. No doubt a great deal of foreign shipping as well as our own took advantage of it.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerMay I press the Minister to say why, since the warning was given in the afternoon and it was known that the ships would not be in the Canal when the bombing started, we were told that night that there would be £50 million worth of shipping and hundreds of passengers in the Canal?
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe right hon. Gentleman can press me as much as he likes. He asked for the facts and I have given them to him. If he does not like them, I am sorry.