HC Deb 30 June 1952 vol 503 cc28-9
35. Mr. Cocks

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what geographical limits are indicated in Government communications by the expressions Near East and Middle East; and to what extent they differ in any way from those indicated by the same expressions 50 years ago.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Nutting)

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 25th July, 1951, to the hon. Member for Gosport and Fareham (Dr. Bennett) by the hon. Member for Enfield, East (Mr. Ernest Davies), of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Mr. Cocks

I do not know what the terms of that answer were, but is it true that such countries as Libya and Syria have now been transferred to the Middle East, and, if so, can the Minister say what is the justification for that?

Mr. Nutting

The answer which was given by my predecessor on 25th July included in the term "Middle East" the following countries: Egypt, Turkey, Iraq, Persia, Syria, the Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the Trucial Sheikhdoms, Kuwait, Bahrein, Qatar, Muscat, the Aden Protectorate and the Yemen.

Mr. Cocks

What countries now remain in the Near East?

Mr. Nutting

The term "Near East" is now outmoded.

Mr. Nicholson

Does the Government share the view that the East begins at Dover?