HC Deb 11 May 1949 vol 464 c1826
10. Mr. M. Philips Price

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that armistice agreements have been made between Israel and Transjordan, he will consider raising the arms embargo on the latter country and on any other Arab state that signs an armistice.

Mr. Bevin

It is the desire of His Majesty's Government that the arms embargo should be lifted as soon as peace and tranquillity are reasonably well established. I have the matter under constant review and I hope that the time will not be long delayed.

Mr. Philips Price

Since the Government of Transjordan have signed an armistice agreement with Israel, would not my right hon. Friend consider now lifting the arms embargo for Transjordan and all those who have signed similar agreements?

Mr. Bevin

We hope to clear up the whole situation so that everybody will be in exactly the same position.

Dr. Segal

Would it not be more humane for this country to sell food instead of selling arms to the Arab States, and medical supplies in order to relieve the tens of thousands of Arab refugees who are in danger of dying from starvation and disease?

Mr. Bevin

We are under contract we interrupted this contract under the decision for an armistice, and these people are quite entitled to have those contracts resumed when those conditions are removed. As for the Arab refugees, I think our country has done more for them than any other country in the world, and it would have been very much better if the country who drove them out had not done so.