§ 73. Mr. J. Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he proposes to take to raise at the United Nations the question of rendering an account to the Egyptian Government for the clearing of the Suez Canal.
§ Mr. Ormsby-Gore:My right hon. and learned Friend told the House on 28th January of the terms of a communication to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, informing him that Her Majesty's Government regarded the United Nations as responsible in the first instance for the expenditure incurred in placing British salvage resources at the disposal of the United Nations, and claiming that our expenditure in the Anglo-French clearing operations in Port Said 96W before 21st December should rank equally with that incurred by the United Nations for eventual reimbursement. A detailed claim has been submitted to the United Nations Secretariat covering our expenditure in both periods.
Now that General Wheeler has withdrawn the United Nations salvage fleet, the Secretary-General will doubtless be reporting on the way in which the advances he raised for the costs of clearance have been used and on their reimbursement. His report will be considered and discussed with the other Governments concerned.