Labor M.P.’s today forced another exchange in Parliament on British policy regarding Israel when Laborite George Jeger demanded to know what the government was doing to force Egypt to permit Haifa-bound tankers through the Suez Canal.
The Laborite caustically commented that the present Foreign Secretary. Anthony Eden, had “roared like a rabbit for resolute action” when he was a member of the Conservative opposition and had declared that were he Foreign Secretary, which he is now, he would force passage of oil tankers bound for Haifa even if it were necessary to send along a naval escort. Minister of State Selwyn Lloyd insisted that it “would not be correct” for the British Government to take unilateral action on the United Nations Security Council resolution of September 1, 1951 asking Egypt to open the Suez to Israel-bound vessels.
The questioning was picked up by Conservative M.P. Sir Herbert Williams who wanted to know why the government did not exercise its statutory rights in forcing passage of the Canal by British vessels. The reply was that the government is negotiating with Egypt on other matters and this does not seem the proper time to raise the Canal passage issue. This response did not please Emanuel Shinwell, former Labor Minister, who pointed out that the lengthy Anglo-Egyptian negotiations were not likely to conclude for quite a while.
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