§ 3. Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests he has received from the Egyptian Government for assistance in clearing the Suez Canal; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards such requests.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe Egyptian Government asked us if we could offer assistance in the clearance of mines and other explosives from the canal. As I told the House on 19th March—[Vol. 870, c. 986–7]—we and the United States responded positively. I hope that a combined Royal Navy-United States Navy operation can begin shortly.