Conference Discusses Association Legal Foundations
Selwyn Lloyd convened discussion of the legal and operational basis for a canal users body at the second London conference.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1956 in Great Britain — Page 3
Explore 627 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1956.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1956
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September
Delegates Examine Risks of Competing Canal Authorities
Selwyn Lloyd confronted concerns that the proposed users association might be seen as a rival to Egypt's nationalized canal authority.
British Government Weighs Limits of Association Plan
Anthony Eden's government considered whether voluntary cooperation by canal users would exert enough influence over Egyptian canal policy.
Second London Conference Issues Final Statement
Selwyn Lloyd's conference issued a statement maintaining the validity of the earlier eighteen-power proposal after Egypt declined to accept it.
Second London Conference Reaffirms Negotiation Proposal
Selwyn Lloyd's meeting ended with a statement maintaining that the eighteen-power plan remained a fair basis for a peaceful canal settlement.
Britain Requests Council Examination of Canal Dispute
Britain sought Security Council discussion of the canal dispute after negotiations with Egypt failed to establish a mutually accepted operating arrangement.
Security Council
Submits the Suez dispute to the United Nations Security Council
Security Council
Takes the Suez dispute to the United Nations Security Council after diplomatic proposals fail
Suez Canal
Submits the Suez dispute to the United Nations Security Council
British Diplomacy Moves Users Dispute Toward UN
Selwyn Lloyd's government pursued Security Council consideration of the Suez dispute after the users association approach failed to settle the issue.
Macmillan Visits Washington for Economic Talks
The Chancellor held discussions in Washington on the currency and financial consequences of the Suez dispute before the invasion began.
Washington Talks on Suez Strategy
Macmillan discusses Suez policy and economic consequences with American officials during his Washington visit.
Chancellor Discusses Suez with American Officials
Harold Macmillan's Washington conversations explored relations with the United States amid differences over possible armed action.
Military Planning
Authorises military planning with France for intervention against Egypt
Port Said Replaces Alexandria as Main Objective
Stockwell adapts land-force planning after the principal landing objective is changed from Alexandria to Port Said.
October
London Reviews Reserve Losses Before Invasion
The Treasury remained alert to pressure on reserves as the government considered military action against Egypt.
Cabinet Reviews Security Council Canal Diplomacy
Selwyn Lloyd focused on an international negotiated solution as the United Nations began further consideration of the dispute.
Britain Considers Common Settlement Formula
Selwyn Lloyd took part in discussions aimed at developing principles that could reconcile freedom of passage with Egypt's legal position.
British Delegation Explores Common Canal Conditions
Selwyn Lloyd participated in diplomatic efforts to define requirements for a negotiated canal settlement rather than pursue an immediate military solution.
Arbitration Proposed for Compensation Disputes
Selwyn Lloyd joined negotiations leading to an arbitration principle for unresolved disputes between Egypt and the former Suez Canal Company.
Free Navigation Requirement Enters Diplomatic Formula
Selwyn Lloyd participated in talks that produced a principle guaranteeing free passage through the canal without overt or covert discrimination.
Britain Gains Unanimous Endorsement of Free Passage
Security Council members agreed that canal transit should be open and nondiscriminatory, a requirement supported by the British delegation.
British Delegation Submits Six Point Framework
Selwyn Lloyd's government cosponsored a Security Council measure setting out six conditions for a negotiated solution to the canal dispute.
Compensation Arbitration Included in Council Text
Selwyn Lloyd's government supported a clause providing arbitration for outstanding financial disputes between the Suez Canal Company and Egypt.
Ministers Assess Security Council Six Principles
Anthony Eden's government evaluated the UN principles as disagreement remained over how canal operation would be organized.
Nondiscriminatory Passage Becomes Council Requirement
Selwyn Lloyd's diplomatic effort resulted in a Security Council resolution requiring free and open canal transit without technical or political discrimination.
Six Principles
Accepts the Security Council's six principles for a negotiated canal settlement
Six Principles Negotiated at UN
Lloyd accepts six Security Council principles as a basis for negotiations on canal operation.
Users Association Mentioned in Wider UN Proposal
Selwyn Lloyd's government supported an additional Security Council proposal linking the users association to cooperation with Egyptian canal authorities.
British Diplomacy Weighs Further Negotiations
Selwyn Lloyd reviewed the diplomatic position after the Council adopted common principles but failed to agree on an implementing mechanism.
Chequers Meeting
Meets senior ministers as British policy moves closer to coordinated action with France and Israel
Central Bank Tracks Gold Dollar Reserve Position
Cameron Cobbold monitored Britain's reserve position as uncertainty over the Suez dispute contributed to concern about sterling.
Calder Hall
Opens Calder Hall, promoted as the world's first full-scale nuclear power station
Calder Hall
Calder Hall opens as a British nuclear power station.
Calder Hall
Opens Calder Hall nuclear power station
Nuclear Power
Opens Calder Hall nuclear power station
British Foreign Secretary Joins Secret Meeting
Selwyn Lloyd attended discussions with French and Israeli representatives about a possible sequence of military actions against Egypt.
Protocol of Sevres
Participates in secret Sevres discussions before Patrick Dean signs the final protocol for Britain
Secret Intervention Planning Bypasses Broader Debate
The Prime Minister pursued secret coordination with France and Israel without disclosing the full arrangement to the entire British Cabinet.
Sevres Mission
Travels to secret talks with French and Israeli representatives at Sevres
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.