§ 26. Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in his negotiations with the authorities in Egypt for the release of the British ships at present detained in the Suez Canal; and when he expects the Canal will be open to international shipping.
§ Mr. M. StewartAs regards the ships, we continue to press for a survey of the southern exit.
The reopening of the Canal itself is unlikely to be achieved except as part of a general settlement.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Canal will ever again be open to shipping? Might it not be better in the long run to abandon the four British ships in this dead canal?
§ Mr. StewartWe ought to continue our attempts to get these ships out. It will be apparent to everyone that if a settlement in the Middle East dispute is not reached, or is long delayed, and the Canal remains blocked, its value, inevitably, in world commerce, will diminish. This will be an injury to a good many countries.
Mr. Colin JacksonCan my right hon. Friend say whether any of the ships in the Bitter Lakes have been endangered by cross-shelling?
§ Mr. StewartI do not believe that there has been any serious danger, either to the ships or, I am glad to say, to the people on them.
§ Mr. WoodAm I right in thinking that both Egypt and Israel have agreed in principle to the survey mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman, but that this is prevented only by military activities across the Canal?
§ Mr. StewartYes, that is so.