HC Deb 03 December 1956 vol 561 cc91-2W
Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why he will not offer reparations to Egypt for the armed conflict and subsequent damage caused to Egypt by Her Majesty's Government in her attack upon Egypt.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Her Majesty's Government do not admit liability to pay reparations to Egypt for damage caused by their recent military action in Egypt. In due course they may well have claims of their own to make.

Mr. Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, as a mark of Great Britain's good faith, he will offer to make an ex gratia payment to the several thousand Egyptian people who lost their homes in the shelling and rocket fire of Port Said by the British forces.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

As I explained in answer to the hon. Member's previous Question, Her Majesty's Government do not admit any liability to pay compensation for damage caused by their recent military action in Egypt. They consider that anyex gratia payment is a matter for the Egyptian Government.

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