§ 14. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further steps Her Majesty's Government are taking in collaboration with the Russian Government and other interested parties to implement the Security Council resolution of 22nd November, 1967, calling for freedom of navigation throughout inter national waters in the Middle East, including the Suez Canal.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsThe resolution dealt with all the problems raised by the Arab-Israel war, including freedom of navigation. These problems are closely inter-related and seem unlikely to be solved outside a general settlement in the area. We actively support Dr. Jarring's efforts to promote such a settlement.
§ Mr. Gwilym RobertsAre there not common interests here for Britain and the Soviet Union, and could not both use their respective influences? Second, could my right hon. Friend give the House an estimate of the total cost to us of the closure of the Canal, with particular reference to the balance of payments figures?
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsAll countries have, as we have, an interest in the 857 speedy clearance of the Canal. It is possible that the permanent members of the Security Council will at some stage consider this as a matter of particular importance to them, and one of the four is the Soviet Union. As regards losses to us sustained since the closure of the Canal, the estimate which has been made is that in the last six months of 1967 the loss to us on the balance of trade ran at about £20 million a month, but, as commerce has adapted itself to the changed situation—[HON. MEMBERS: "Too long."]—the loss has declined to about £.5 million a month, which is serious enough in all conscience.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Answers must be reasonably brief.