§ 94. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what nations have so far refused to contribute the 3 per cent. surcharge to the United Nations for the clearing of the Suez Canal; what were the reasons for refusal; and what steps are being taken to free the canal for the use of Israel on similar lines to other nations.
§ Mr. Ian HarveyWhile the Sovietbloc and Egypt abstained on the United Nations resolution which authorised the Suez Canal surcharge, no nation has yet formally refused to contribute to it. The Secretary General of the United Nations has not yet, however, published his arrangements for collecting the surcharge.
As regards the passage of Israel shipping through the Canal, the United Nations is seized of this matter and Her Majesty's Government's position remains as stated by my right hon. and gallant Friend in reply to the right hon. and learned Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. A. Henderson) on 20th May last year.