§ Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the 1888 Suez Canal Convention, regarding the freedom of passage of ships of all nations in peace and war through the Canal, is not being observed by Egypt; and if he will make representations about the effect of this on British shipping interests.
§ Mr. George ThomsonThe attitude of the British Government on this matter has been made clear frequently in the past. The last confirmed incident of interference with British shipping using the Suez Canal occurred in 1964. As the then Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs told the House on 16th March, 1964, Her Majesty's Ambassador in Cairo protested at the delay to the British ship concerned and reserved Her Majesty's Government's rights in the matter.—[Vol. 691, c.112.]