HC Deb 13 July 1965 vol 716 cc49-50W
52. Sir J. Langford-Holt

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on how many occasions in the last two years the Suez Canal Convention of 1888 has been broken and by whom.

Mr. Padley

So far as we know there has only been one incident in the last two years involving British shipping interests where the application of the Constantinople Convention of 1888 has been called into question. This was the case of the s.s. "Cardiganshire" in February, 1964. The then Foreign Secretary (now Lord Butler) told the House that representations had been made to the United Arab Republic authorities. The vessel continued its passage through the Suez Canal after a delay of 48 hours.