HC Deb 25 February 1957 vol 565 c132W
Captain Pilkington

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the estimated cost of clearing the Suez Canal.

Mr. Ian Harvey

In his second report to the United Nations on clearing the Canal the Secretary-General said he was not yet in a position to submit to the General Assembly a complete estimate of the cost of clearing the Canal. Meanwhile he had approached Member Governments for advances to finance the initial stages of the United Nations clearance operation.

Captain Pilkington

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs upon what information he based his estimate that a channel could be cleared through the Suez canal, if all the Anglo-French and other resources collected by the Admiralty were used, within seven weeks of 17th December, 1956.

Mr. Ian Harvey

My right hon. and learned Friend's estimate was based on reports from our salvage experts on the spot at Port Said.