SUEZ CANAL (Hansard, 25 March 1957)

§ 51. Mr. E. Fletcher
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he expects the Suez Canal will be open to British shipping.

§ Commander Noble
The latest United Nations estimate is that the Canal is likely to be cleared and open for all vessels up to 33 foot draught by 10th April and for vessels of up to 31 foot draught somewhat earlier. The Egyptians have already announced the "resumption of navigation," and small vessels can apparently now pass through.

§ Mr. Fletcher
In view of today's announcement that the Canal is now open to ships up to 20,000 tons, will the Minister say whether British ships are able to use the Canal on terms as to payment of dues acceptable to Her Majesty's Government and what advice is being given by the Government to British shipowners accordingly?

§ Commander Noble
This matter is, of course, still being discussed in Egypt by Mr. Hammarskjöld, and I think that we should await his report to the United Nations.

§ Mr. Shinwell
The right hon. and gallant Gentleman has said that the Canal will be open for all shipping. Does that include Israeli shipping and, if not, what are the Government going to do about it?

§ Commander Noble
As I have already said, the Secretary-General is discussing all these matters now in Cairo, and I think that we should await his report to the General Assembly. I think that the communiqué from Bermuda yesterday made Her Majesty's Government's position quite clear.

§ Mr. P. Williams
Can my right hon. and gallant Friend state quite clearly what conditions are acceptable to Her Majesty's Government for the movement of British ships through the Canal and not pass this one off on to the United Nations or Mr. Hammarskjöld,

§ Commander Noble
I think that that is another question, but Her Majesty's Government have always made it quite clear that they stood by the six principles in the Security Council Resolution.

§ Mr. Paget
What we want to know is this. The Canal is open today, a British ship turns up; to whom does it pay the money?

§ Commander Noble
Perhaps the hon. and learned Gentleman will put down a Question on that.

§ Mr. Gower
Cannot my right hon. and gallant Friend make it clear that we do attach great importance to the principle that the Canal shall be open for the free navigation of ships of all countries, including Israel?

§ Commander Noble
Yes. That is exactly what I have been trying to emphasise in referring to the six principles of the Security Council Resolution.

§ Mr. Gaitskell
Can the Minister of State say whether British shipowners have been told not to send ships through the Canal at present? What is the position so far as they are concerned?

§ Commander Noble
That matter is still under consideration.

§ Mr. Gaitskell
This is surely a very urgent matter. The right hon. and gallant Gentleman has referred to the fact that the Canal will be open to ships of a certain size almost immediately. When can we expect a further statement clarifying the position?

§ Commander Noble
The Government will make a statement as soon as they are able to. The date I mentioned was 10th April, and I said other ships perhaps "somewhat earlier." so there is still some time to go.

§ Mr. Shinwell
Why does the Minister reiterate the importance of the six principles and yet in reply to questions say that these are still under consideration? Why are the Government so shaky and cagey about these matters?

§ Commander Noble
Because they are still under consideration.