HC Deb 16 December 1968 vol 775 cc854-6
13. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further action he is taking to secure the release of British ships detained in the Suez Canal.

76. Mr. Ian Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take further steps to obtain the release of British ships detained in the Suez Canal.

84. Viscount Lambton

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the negotiations to free the British ships at present contained by the Egyptian Government in the Suez Canal.

7. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his latest efforts to reach agreement with the United Arab Republic and Israel on ways in which the ships in the Suez Canal could be released.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

Since my reply to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Kingston-upon-Thames (Mr. Boyd-Carpenter) on 18th November, we have had further contacts in Cairo with the United Arab Republic authorities and in New York with a number of interested parties. We have also kept in touch with the commercial interests involved.—[Vol. 773, c. 867–9.]

Mr. Biggs-Davison

To what extent does silting now act as an impediment to the freeing of these ships? Second, what action is proposed to be taken, either by the United Nations or by the maritime Powers, to free these ships? Third, what compensation will lie against the United Arab Republic for the illegal detention of the ships?

Mr. Roberts

I should like the hon. Gentleman to put a Question down about silting. Information about the technical position is not immediately available to me today. As regards United Nations intervention, as I have said, the United Nations could not intervene here for the purpose of physical clearance without first going to the Security Council, which would set in train a debate which might exacerbate the situation and make more difficult the already difficult task which the special representative, Dr. Jarring, has.

As regards compensation, soon after the end of the June war, Her Majesty's Gov- ernment indicated to the U.A.R. and to Israel that they held in reserve their power to claim compensation for damage or loss sustained by the Government of by United Kingdom nationals.

Finally, as regards the position of the maritime Powers, a shipowners' committee was formed in Amsterdam in July, and this has been empowered to negotiate with the Cairo authorities with a view to the clearance of the Canal. A representative of the committee is now engaged in these negotiations in Cairo.

Mr. Speaker

Order. This is not an Adjournment debate. Answers, however praiseworthy, must be reasonably brief.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Can the right hon. Gentleman recall any previous British Government which acquiesced in the wrongful detention of British ships for 18 months?

Mr. Roberts

We can all call to mind the fiasco of Suez.