§ Lieut.-Colonel Bromley - Davenportasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now give details about the imports of the various categories of wine into the United Kingdom for 1955–56.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanThe following table shows, for the year ended 31st March, 1956, the quantities of imported wine retained for consumption in the United Kingdom and the principal countries from which consigned :—
been given by Her Majesty's Government through its representatives on the Suez Canal Maritime Company or otherwise to ensure that the terms offered to British citizens remaining loyal to the company will be honoured in full ; (4) if he will publish in a White Paper or otherwise a full statement of all the instructions and advice given to the British Government representatives on the Suez Canal Maritime Company during the period from 26th July, 1956, to date.
§ Mr. NuttingIt has never been Her Majesty's Government's practice to disclose confidential instructions or advice given to the Government Directors of the Suez Canal Company. As my right hon. and learned Friend has stated the 7W policy of Her Majesty's Government has been to encourage the Company to persuade its staff to stay at work as long as the London Conference and the mission of the Committee of Five Nations to Cairo continued, and in order to afford every opportunity of reaching an agreed settlement of the Suez Canal issue by these peaceful processes.
§ Mr. Warbeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give a detailed list of the economic sanctions or restrictions at present in force against the Egyptian Government or Egyptian citizens and in relation to the assets or income of the Suez Canal Maritime Company.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanI have been asked to reply.
The general purpose of the present restrictions was announced by the Prime Minister in his Statement of 30th July (HANSARD, col. 922). The detailed effect of the restrictions imposed under the Exchange Control (Payments) (Egyptian Monetary Area) Order, 1956 (S.I. 1956 No. 1163) is that payments from Egyptian accounts are not allowed except :
- (a) where cheques, bills or drafts were drawn on or before the 27th July. 1956, or credits had been established on or before that date and confirmed by the United Kingdom office of any bank on or before that date : this is extended to include payments to residents of the Transferable Account Area;
- (b) payments to residents of the Scheduled Territories or Transferable Account Area for goods shipped to Egypt which were on the high seas on or before the 27th July, 1956.
- (c) living expenses in the United Kingdom up to £100 in any one week and certain continuing payments of a pre-zero contractual nature to residents of the Scheduled Territories, e.g., insurance premiums, maintenance payments, etc.
Under the Control of Gold and Securities (Suez Canal Company) Direction, 1956 (S.I. 1956 No. 1164) no order relating to any securities or gold held in the name of or to the account of the Suez Canal Company given by or on behalf of the Government of Egypt or any person resident in Egypt may be 8W carried out except with permission granted by the Treasury.
In addition the export to Egypt of arms and other goods of military significance is prohibited.
§ Mr. Warbeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he has taken to facilitate the transfer of the assets and property of the Suez Canal Maritime Company to the State of Egypt so that compensation for the British Government's shares in the company can be received immediately in accordance with Article 1 of the Egyptian Government's Nationalisation Law.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanI have been asked to reply. The answer is "None".
§ Mr. Warbeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the deadlock which has arisen over the Suez Canal question, the British Government will now take the initiative in requesting the Secretary-General of the United Nations to convoke a Special Session of the General Assembly so that the latter can make recommendations for the resolution of the question in accordance with its responsibility under Article 13 for promoting international co-operation in the economic field.
§ Mr. NuttingNo. The position of Her Majesty's Government in this matter was stated by the Prime Minister and by my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary in the debate yesterday.