HC Deb 31 May 1967 vol 747 cc31-2W
91. Sir J. Langford-Holt

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the situation in the Middle East, Her Majesty's Government's decision regarding the Tripartite Declaration and the right of free passage of British ships in peace and war through the Suez Canal and in the Gulf of Aqaba.

Mr. George Brown

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister reaffirmed on 24th March Her Majesty's Government's determination to assert the right of free and innocent passage through the Straits of Tiran on behalf of British shipping and to join with others to secure general recognition of this right. Her Majesty's Government continue to affirm the right of freedom of passage for British shipping in both the Suez Canal and the Gulf of Aqaba.

On the Tripartite Declaration I have nothing to add to my replies on 19th December, 1966, to Questions from the hon. Member for Shrewsbury and other hon. Members.—[Vol. 738, c. 991–3 and 195–6.]