HC Deb 29 October 1956 vol 558 cc94-5W
63. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what instructions have been given to the British Government representatives on the Suez Maritime Canal Company in regard to the abandonment by the Company of all claims against ships which pay canal tolls to the Suez Canal Users' Association.

Mr. Nutting

As I informed the hon. Member on 14th September, it has never been the practice of Her Majesty's Government to disclose confidential instructions or advice given to the Government directors of the Suez Canal Company.

64. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements have been made for the continuation of the negotiations with the Egyptian Government on the Suez Canal issue which were commenced during the recent sittings of the United Nations Security Council.

Mr. Nutting

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement which my right hon. and learned Friend made to the House on 23rd October and to his Answers to supplementary questions, to which I have nothing to add.

78. Mr. Fenner Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proposals have been made by the Governments of the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France, respectively, regarding the proportion of the tolls paid to the Suez Canal Users' Association which should be transferred to the Egyptian Government for the maintenance of the Canal.

Mr. Nutting

Paragraph II (4) of the Declaration of 21st September states that one of the purposes of the Suez Canal Users' Association is "to receive, hold and disburse the revenues accruing from dues and other sums which any user of the Canal may pay to the Suez Canal Users' Association, without prejudice to existing rights, pending a final settlement". The Declaration gives no guidance as to the proportion of dues to be paid to the Egyptian Government. This question is being discussed between Her Majesty's Government and other governments.

80. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what discussions with the Government of Egypt are to take place on the proposals put forward by the Government of India on the Suez Canal question.

Mr. Nutting

I would refer the right hon. and learned Member to my right hon. and learned Friend's reply to the Leader of the Opposition on 23rd October. Until we learn the basis on which the Egyptian Government would be prepared to talk I cannot say what discussions might take place with them.