§ 68. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will initiate dis- 58W cussions with the Russian Government aimed at obtaining agreement on steps to be undertaken towards the early reopening to world shipping of the Suez Canal.
§ Mr. MulleyNo. On 22nd November, 1967 the Security Council, of which the Soviet Union is a permanent member, unanimously adopted a resolution which set out the principles for a settlement in the Middle East, including freedom of navigation through international waterways in the area. It is in the context of such a settlement that I believe the best hope lies for re-opening the Canal to international shipping.