HC Deb 15 March 1950 vol 472 cc1074-5
35. Mr. Wyatt

asked the Secretary or State for Foreign Affairs whether any undertaking was obtained from the Government of Iraq as to the opening of the Iraq-Haifa oil pipeline before arms were recently supplied to Iraq by Britain.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Bevin)

No, Sir. Any arms supplied to Iraq by His Majesty's Government are in fulfilment of our obligations under the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty.

Mr. Wyatt

While appreciating the Foreign Secretary's difficulty in regard to our treaty obligations, may I ask if there is no way of bringing any pressure on Iraq to get this oil pipe line open, and so save us millions of dollars a year?

Mr. Bevin

That is not in the Question.

Mr. de Chair

While fully accepting the position the right hon. Gentleman is taking up over the supply of arms for Iraq, in view of our intimate treaty relationship with that country, would it not be possible for him to discuss this question of the reopening of the pipeline, because the mere hostility of the Arab League to Israel cannot for ever close the supply of oil from Kirkuk to Haifa?

Mr. Bevin

I have discussed this with every Arab country concerned, including Iraq, and feeling is very intense. It would be far better, if hon. Members want an answer on the Haifa pipeline, to put down a Question about it and not seek information in a Question about the supply of arms. I would rather give an answer on that question.

Mr. Mikardo

Must the British taxpayer go on indefinitely paying for arms for Iraq that are being used to prevent the British getting sterling oil?