§ Viscount Hinchingbrookeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a comprehensive statement on incidents which have taken place in the Canal Zone since his statement on 15th July.
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§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerYes. There has been a considerable increase in the number of incidents in the Canal Zone in the latter half of this year. As I indicated to my hon. Friend the Member for Lanark (Mr. Patrick Maitland) on 2nd December, many of these involve the use of fire-arms or explosives. Her Majesty's Government have drawn the attention of the Egyptian Government to these incidents, and have made a strong protest. It is now up to the Egyptian Government to take the necessary measures to restore law and order in the Canal Zone. If they should fail to do so, our forces are fully capable of protecting themselves.