§ 51. Mr. Eric Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Iraq with regard to the re-opening of the pipe line to Haifa.
§ Mr. MayhewHis Majesty's Ambassador at Bagdad has made representations to the Iraqi Government on more than one occasion during the last six months with regard to the resumption of supplies of crude oil through the pipeline to Haifa.
§ Mr. FletcherWill my hon. Friend assure the House that his right hon. Friend will continue to press the Governments of Iraq and Israel to enable this pipeline to be re-opened, in view of its enormous importance to this country and to both those Governments?
§ Mr. MayhewWe appreciate that, and the representations we made to the Iraqi Government are continuing now.
§ Mr. JannerCan my hon. Friend confirm that the Government of Israel are quite prepared to use that line, and say what were the results of the inquiries to Iraq?
§ Mr. MayhewSince the representations are still continuing, I would rather not disclose what is going on.
§ Mr. Frederic HarrisWould the hon. Gentleman not agree that the important staff engaged on the pipeline have been withdrawn, so that it cannot be reopened for another two years?
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanWhat are the representations that are being made to the Government of Israel? While we understand that representations are being made to Iraq, is it not the case that there is no difficulty in regard to the other Government?
§ Mr. MayhewThere was no suggestion of that. The Question dealt with representations to Iraq, and I have referred to them.