53. Mr. HaroldDavies asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what total amount of arms of all kinds it is proposed to supply to Egypt this year; and what total amount of arms it is proposed to supply to Israel in the same period.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesArms have been and will continue to be supplied to Egypt in accordance with our obligations under the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty of Alliance, and in accordance with the country's defensive requirements. It would be contrary to usual practice to reveal the quantities which have been or will be supplied. As regards Israel, no parallel obligations exist. There are at present no arrangements in view for the supply of military equipment from the United Kingdom to that country.
§ Mr. Harold DaviesIs my right hon. Friend aware that this policy seems rather to upset the entire Middle East peace policy, and, secondly, will be say whether jet fighters have been supplied to Egypt recently?
§ Mr. DaviesInstead of upsetting the possibilities of peace in the Middle East, it is considered that the policy being pursued is directed towards that end. The answer to the second part of the supplementary is that there have been a few jet planes provided.
§ Mr. MikardoIn view of the fact that the Egyptian Government is abusing its power and authority in stopping British ships from passing through the Suez Canal on their lawful occasions, is not the case that under our Treaty obligations we are giving the Egyptians the wherewithal to defy her Treaty obligations to us?
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanWill the Under-Secretary explain how a supply of arms to Egypt can promote peace in the Middle East, when Egypt, at the same time, is refusing to negotiate any kind of peace treaty or allow any other Arab State to do so?
§ Mr. DaviesBecause we are providing arms for Egypt in accordance with our Treaty arrangements, and with a view to assisting her to have sufficient to maintain her internal security and her own self-defence.
§ 55. Mr. Mikardoasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many Lincoln bombers and how many Centurion tanks have been supplied, and how many it is proposed to supply, to Egypt
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesIt would not be in accordance with usual practice to supply detailed information of the kind required. A limited quantity of armaments, including some armoured fighting vehicles, has been supplied to Egypt, and further quantities remain to be delivered in accordance with our Treaty obligations to that country. No Lincoln bombers have been supplied and none are in prospect.
§ Mr. MikardoAs my hon. Friend has said in answer to an earlier Question that these arms are supplied to Egypt for internal security, can he now say whether these bombers and tanks are required by the Egyptians to stop the bazaar quarrels in Cairo or the strike of camel drivers at the Pyramids?
§ Mr. DaviesI think my hon. Friend has unintentionally misrepresented me. I said that arms were required for internal security and for defensive purposes. It is understood that the aircraft in question are required mainly for non-operational purposes such as training, air-sea rescue and reconnaissance.
§ Mr. JannerAgainst whom is this defence required?
§ Mr. FernyhoughWould not the cause of peace in the Middle East be better served by refusing to supply any countries there with any arms?
§ Mr. DaviesThere was a ban on the supply of arms to the Middle East imposed by the Security Council, who have raised that ban.
§ Lord Malcolm Douglas-HamiltonHave the Egyptian Government paid for any of these arms?
§ 56. Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what amounts have been paid to Great Britan for armaments, since August, 1949, by Egypt, Persia, Iraq, Jordan and Saudi-Arabia, respectively.
§ Mr. Ernest DaviesIt would not be in accordance with usual practice for His Majesty's Government to give details of the sums spent by foreign Governments on the purchase of military equipment in this country, particularly since many of the orders involved are the result of confidential contracts between the Governments concerned and British manufacturers.
§ Mr. JannerHow much is this costing the British taxpayer? What use is there in continuing to supply these arms, unless it is for the purpose of irritating the Middle East? Does not my hon. Friend realise that this is a provocation to some of these countries to attack other peaceable countries in the Middle East?
§ Mr. DaviesAs payment has been made on all orders in which His Majesty's Government are interested this is not costing the British taxpayer anything.
§ Mr. A. R. W. LowHas payment in fact been made, or have there been deductions from sterling balances that grew up during the war?
§ Mr. Sydney Silvermanrose—
§ Mr. DaviesThat is another question, of which I should have notice.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Sidney Marshall.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanOn a point of Order. I am sorry if I am wrong, Mr. Speaker, but I understood that you called me to ask a supplementary question. I hope that I am not to be deprived of doing so merely because I gave way to my hon. Friend in order to permit him to respond to the shouts of "Answer."
§ Mr. SpeakerThere must be a limit to supplementary questions. I did not see the hon. Gentleman rise, and I went on to the next Question.
§ Mr. SilvermanI did rise, Mr. Speaker.
§ Mr. SpeakerWe will pass on to the next Question.