HC Deb 24 March 1969 vol 780 cc1026-8
8. Sir J. Langford-Holt

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to ensure that the Security Council Resolution tabled by the United Kingdom delegate on the Middle East and freedom of passage of the ships of all nations in peace and in war through the Suez Canal is observed when the Canal is opened.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

We are continuing to do all we can to bring about a settlement in accordance with the Security Council Resolution of 22nd November, 1967, which affirms the necessity for guaranteeing freedom of navigation through international waterways in the Middle East area.

Sir J. Langford-Holt

Will the hon. Gentleman reaffirm that Her Majesty's Government regard the withdrawal to the armistice lines and the acceptance of these frontiers as two propositions which are quite indivisible so far as this Resolution is concerned?

Mr. Roberts

We are in favour of the earliest possible implementation by agreement of the whole of the Resolution, which contains the original points made by the hon. Member and the one he has just mentioned.

Mr. Alan Lee Williams

Does my hon. Friend agree that if the Egyptians do not shortly open the canal it will become a wasting asset? Already 53 British ships sail daily round the Cape, and with big tankers this trend is likely to continue.

Mr. Roberts

The sooner it is opened the better for everyone. What my hon. Friend has said is very much in our minds because we have an interest in its early opening.

19. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress he has made in his efforts to secure the release of the British ships detained by Egypt in the Bitter Lakes.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

I hope that it will be possible before long to proceed with the survey of the southern exit of the canal.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Is it not perfectly clear after 21 months that at the present rate the ships will never be freed until the canal has silted up? In view of the fact that Egypt has no legal title to the canal, is it not time for international action to clear it on the lines successfully taken in 1957?

Mr. Roberts

I will not go into the reasons why this successful action was made necessary at the time. Addressing myself to the last point raised by the right hon. Gentleman, which I know is a serious point, the question of legality here is one of great difficulty and complication. I would add that as of now substantial progress has been made in very delicate negotiations involving both sides, the ship owners and insurers. I hope that before long it may be possible to survey with the intention of evacuating through the southern exit.

Sir J. Rodgers

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that if the canal were cleared the nation most likely to benefit would be Soviet Russia? Even if the canal is cleared the large tankers are likely to go round by the Cape route.

Mr. Roberts

I think everybody would benefit from the release of these ships from the canal.

Mr. Moonman

While I appreciate the delicate nature of the discussions, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend recognises that any agreement should take into account the free passage for ships of all nations when the whole thing is made viable?

Mr. Roberts

That is part of the larger question which in turn is one of the aspects of the general solution which we are striving to achieve. Before such a general solution can be agreed, the point which my hon. Friend has made must be part of it.