§ 12. Mr. Smallasked the Secretary of State for Defence what aspects of the clearance work of the Suez Canal have been undertaken by the Royal Navy; what is the extent of the progress to date; and if he will make a statement.
§ 16. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence when the clearing operations of the Suez Canal carried out by elements of the Royal Navy will be completed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JuddOn 13th May 1974 my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs reported to the House that
Her Majesty's Government are providing the services of three mine-hunters, a support vessel and a part of the Fleet Clearance Diving Team to assist in the clearance of mines and other war debris from the Suez Canal."— [OFFICIAL REPORT, 13th May 1974; Vol. 873, c. 354.]The Royal Navy task force completed operations on 1st November, having operated along the entire length of the main channel of the Suez Canal from Port Said to Suez. The force dealt with several thousand items of ordnance. The operation was co-ordinated by the Egyptians, and the United States and French navies also participated. This work was an excellent example of the way in which nations can work together in a common cause.227 I was privileged to meet the force on its arrival in Portsmouth on 21st November and I am sure hon. Members on both sides of the House would wish to join with me in congratulating all members of the ships' companies on the seaman-like and supremely efficient way in which they carried out their most hazardous task.
§ Mr. SmallIn thanking my hon. Friend for that reply may I say that, having listened to the practised palates of other Ministers making a meal of their answers, I believe that we are entitled to propose a toast to those who have operated in dangerous and hazardous conditions to make an international highway clear? Can my hon. Friend give an estimate of when the canal will be open to international shipping?
§ Mr. JuddThe Egyptian authorities have not yet announced a date for the reopening of the Suez Canal. There is still a good deal of work to be done on the canal, including dredging and the installation of navigational aids.
Mr. Scoft-HopkinsIn expressing my gratitude for the hon. Gentleman's answer and the manner in which he has congratulated all ranks on the hazardous work which they have done in the canal, may I ask him what negotiations are going on for the use of the canal and whether there will be a continuing commitment for elements of the Royal Navy to keep the channel clear?
§ Mr. CostainWhile congratulating the Royal Navy on what they have done in the Suez Canal, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he realises that there are still mines in the English Channel, off Folkestone and Hythe, and whether these experts could be used to sweep there with the same apparatus?
§ Mr. JuddIt is never possible to give a 100 per cent. guarantee in an operation of this kind, but it can be said that a very high proportion of the ordnance resting on the bed of the canal has been disposed of or marked for disposal by the Egyptian authorities.
§ Mr. BuckLeaving aside the geographical position of the constituency of my 228 hon. Friend the Member for Folkestone and Hythe (Mr. Costain), may I ask whether it is not a fact that this illustrates that, while we have only the third most powerful Navy in the world, we still have the best Navy in the world, because it has done a superb piece of work? Will the Under-Secretary confirm that HMS "Wilton", the first ship of this type to be constructed in fibre-glass, has been successfully used in an operation of this type and on this scale and that we still lead the world in mine-sweeping operations?
§ Mr. JuddI am happy to agree with the hon. and learned Gentleman. I think everybody will agree that this operation has shown that we have an outstanding Navy which is second to none and that the ships and equipment used have proved highly effective.