§ 45. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how long it is estimated that the surcharge on shipping using the Suez Canal will need to be continued in order to pay off the costs of clearing the canal.
§ The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. D. Ormsby-Gore)In his report to the General Assembly the Secretary-General estimated that on the basis of the current level of canal traffic a 3 per cent. surcharge would reimburse the costs of clearing the canal in about three years.
§ Mr. AwberyWill the Minister inform the House whether the Exchequer makes a contribution towards these costs, whether it is paid to the United Nations organisation, or whether the shipping industry carries the full burden of the folly of the Government in entering on this venture?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe details of the scheme have not yet been fully divulged to us by the Secretary-General, but we 427 are having discussions with the shipping interests in this country about the matter.
§ Mr. P. WilliamsDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that the shipping industry is the least culpable of all in this matter, and that it is an unjust impost to place this tax upon that industry and to tax it for the failure of the campaign?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI know that nobody has yet come forward with a better plan for reimbursing the United Nations for clearing the Canal.