§ 33. Sir R. Grimstonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reports he has received from the Secretary-General of the United Nations on plans for the clearance of the Suez Canal and the liberation of ships trapped therein.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydWith regard to the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my statement of 17th December.
No ships are detained in the portion of the Canal under allied control. Thirteen ships, none of them British, are still detained between the cease-fire line and the wreckage of the El Ferdan bridge. General Burns was informed nearly a month ago that the allied authorities would be glad to facilitate the departure of these ships, and that it was considered technically possible for most if not all to be got out. He replied that the Egyptian Government considered that no movement of ships could be allowed before the complete withdrawal of Anglo-French troops from Egyptian territory. The matter was brought to the notice of the Secretary-General and of the other Governments concerned. Nothing, however, has happened.