§ 46. Major Symondsasked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention to continue to use the term "Middle East" to cover those geographical areas which, in the past, have been referred to as "Near East" and "Middle East."
§ The Prime MinisterIt has become the accepted practice to use the term "Middle East" to cover the Arab world and certain neighbouring countries. The practice seems to me convenient and I see no reason to change it.
§ Major SymondsWould the right hon. Gentleman agree that we might get rid of this confusion once and for all if we used geographically correct terms such as "South East Europe" and "South West Asia "?
§ The Prime MinisterThat seems rather a large, omnibus definition, because ii would also include a hit of North East Africa.
§ Mr. KeelingIf Egypt is to be called the "Middle East," where is the "Near East" now? As Egypt and other Eastern Mediterranean countries were called the "Near East" before the war, would the Prime Minister consider—I do not ask him to answer now—whether, in the interests of geographical decorum, he could not apply the term "Near and Middle East" to the commands, committees, and other organisations which cover both Egypt and countries further East?
§ The Prime MinisterThe vital point was that put in the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question. It all depends where you are in the world.