Suez Canal (Hansard, 28 January 1957)

§ 54. Mr. Fenner Brockway
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when negotiations will be reopened with the Egyptian Government regarding the 104W control of the Suez Canal; and to what extent Her Majesty's Government accepts the detailed proposals of the Government of India as a basis of agreement.

§ Mr. Selwyn Lloyd
The Secretary-General of the United Nations is endeavouring to promote early negotiations and Her Majesty's Government have informed him that they for their part are ready to engage in negotiations.
The basis for these negotiations was described in my statement to the House on 3rd December. The starting point will be the Security Council's Resolution passed on 13th October and the Secretary-General's letter to the Egyptian Foreign Minister of 24th October.
There are of course certain features of the Indian Government's proposals which are somewhat similar to the conditions set out in the Secretary-General's letter.

§ 56. Mr. Page
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what requests the Government has made for payment from the United Nations organisation for the use of the British salvage fleet in the clearance of the Suez Canal.

§ Mr. Selwyn Lloyd
On 23rd December, the Secretary-General of the United Nations circulated to all delegations a Note regarding interim advances to the Fund for the Clearance of the Suez Canal. In replying to this Note, Her Majesty's Government informed the Secretary-General that they regard the United Nations organisation as responsible in the first instance for the expenditure incurred by Her Majesty's Government in placing British salvage resources at the disposal of the United Nations, but that they are ready to treat this expenditure as an advance to the Fund for the Clearance of the Suez Canal on the understanding that it will be reimbursed on the same terms as the advances of other contributors to the Fund.
At the same time, Her Majesty's Government informed the Secretary-General that they regard the expenditure they incurred on salvage work in Port Said prior to 21st December when the United Nations took over responsibility for clearance of the Canal as being work done for the benefit of Canal users in accordance with the terms of Resolution 411 adopted by the General Assembly on 25th November, 1956, and they therefore 105W consider that this expenditure should rank equally with that incurred by the United Nations for eventual reimbursement.

§ 57. Mr. Page
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what Governments and public and private undertakings will receive payment from the United Nations organisation for salvage operations or for the use of salvage ships in the clearance of the Suez Canal.

§ Mr. Selwyn Lloyd
It is the understanding of Her Majesty's Government that, as from the time when the United Nations took over the task of Canal clearance, all Governments and public and private undertakings which have carried out salvage operations or supplied salvage ships for the clearance of the Suez Canal are entitled to claim payment from the United Nations organisation.

§ 58. Mr. Page
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what were the reasons for the refusal by the United Nations organisation to use British salvage vessels in the clearance of the Suez Canal.

§ 63. Mr. E. Johnson
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what discussions he has had with the Secretary-General of the United Nations in regard to the use of British ships for clearing the Suez Canal; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Selwyn Lloyd
Both before and after the United Nations assumed responsibility for clearing the Canal, British salvage vessels and their crews have played a major part in its clearance at Port Said and in the channels running southwards from the port. In company with the French team they have raised thirteen wrecks including the largest, the "Paul Solente".
In addition certain foreign ships were released by us to the United Nations and these are continuing to work in the Canal.
Other units of the Anglo-French salvage team were offered to the United Nations to help in clearance south of Kantara, but this offer was not accepted for reasons the validity of which I have never fully understood.