§ 36. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for Defence what instructions have been given to commanding officers of Her Majesty's ships about compliance with the Egyptian Government's claim to rights to search all ships passing through the Suez Canal.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy (Mr. Maurice Foley)It is not the practice to divulge confidential instructions given to H.M. Ships.
§ Sir J. Langford-HoltDoes the hon. Gentleman therefore say that, contrary to the President of the Board of Trade's failure to give any instructions to civilian ships, commanding officers of Her Majesty's ships have been given contingency instructions?
§ Mr. FoleyIt would not be right for me to forecast the actions of the Govment in situations which might or might not arise in future. I can, however, say categorically that no ships of Her Majesty's Government have been searched or stopped or delayed since the statement issued by the United Arab Republic Government.
§ Mr. PagetIn view of the Prime Minister's statement, is it not the right of British ships to proceed in these international waters, and are they not entitled to the defence of the British Navy when proceeding on their lawful occasions?
§ Mr. FoleyThe Question, with respect, relates to Her Majesty's ships, and I have given the precise position—that none of Her Majesty's ships has been stopped or searched and that it is not our practice to divulge confidential information such as instructions to captains of ships.