HC Deb 22 November 1955 vol 546 cc1258-60
45. Mr. Robens

asked the Prime Minister if he will take the initiative in calling a conference of the signatories to the Tripartite Agreement, also the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, with a view to discussing a complete arms embargo to the Middle East.

The Prime Minister (Sir Anthony Eden)

A complete embargo on the supply of arms to Middle East countries by the three Powers would conflict with the terms of the Tripartite Declaration and our Treaty engagements, the terms of some of which I am sending to the right hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Robens

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the Question? I asked whether he would call a conference of the signatories to the Tripartite Agreement, together with the Soviet Union. It is therefore pot a question simply of inviting the three Powers to put an arms embargo on the Middle East but a question of whether he will endeavour to secure an arms embargo jointly with the Tripartite Powers and the U.S.S.R.

The Prime Minister

What I was trying to make plain to the right hon. Gentleman and to the House is that we ourselves are bound under the terms of the Tripartite Agreement to deliver to the Middle Eastern countries certain supplies of arms. That is a standing engagement which the right hon. Gentleman will find in the Declaration of 25th May, 1950: The three Governments recognise that the Arab States and Israel all need to maintain a certain level of armed forces.… It explains that we have a responsibility to deliver them. It is therefore hard to see, unless the parties in the Middle East agree, how we could go back on that Agreement with the Middle Eastern countries, quite apart from any other consideration. As for the possibilities of the kind of meeting which the right hon. Gentleman has in mind, I think it is fair that I should add that the exchanges which we and other signatories to the Tripartite Agreement have had with the Soviet leaders give us very little encouragement to believe that any useful purpose would be served by inviting the Soviet Union to a conference of the nature suggested.

Mr. Robens

Under the Tripartite Agreement there was an understanding that there would be a balance between the Arab States and the State of Israel. If there is to be no attempt to have an embargo and Czechoslovakian arms are to pour into Egypt, what will be the position of this country and other signatories of the Tripartite Agreement? Are they to increase the level of arms to Israel and therefore start an arms race?

The Prime Minister

There is nothing about a balance in the Tripartite Agreement. It says that it is our duty to supply these arms for "internal security" and "legitimate self-defence" to the countries. Added to that, of course, there is an obligation, the right hon. Gentleman understands, under other separate agreements which this country has entered into with certain Governments—for instance, the Government of Jordan and the Government of Iraq—to supply them with arms. This will have to be borne in mind in anything like a Middle Eastern arrangement.

Mr. H. Morrison

Is there not a moral or other obligation on the part of Her Majesty's Government to maintain some sort of equity and fairness in the supply of arms between these unfortunately competing nations? Is it not the case that Israel should have a supply of arms which is roughly equitable in relation to the supply of arms to the Arab States together?

The Prime Minister

The right hon. Gentleman is perfectly right in saying that we should try to maintain a balance of arms. Indeed, I myself gave that assurance to the House, and that is what we have done, without doubt, ourselves and to the best of our ability, with our French and American Allies. I am now being asked whether it would be a good idea to ask the Russians to come in on the same basis. I have told the right hon. Gentleman that we have raised these matters with the Soviet Government and the results do not encourage us to believe that this supply of arms, nominally from Czechoslovakia, is one on which agreement is likely to be reached.

Mr. Robens

In that case, what policy do the Government propose to deal with this problem?

The Prime Minister

I do not think Her Majesty's Government can be blamed, if, with their Allies, they have sought to pursue a balance in the delivery of arms and then another great Power, regardless, I think, of responsibilities, steps in and supplies large quantities to one side.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Page.

Mr. Nicholson

On a point of order. Three or four questions have been asked from the other side of the House and I have been seeking all the time to catch your eye. Is it not possible for me to ask a question?

Mr. Speaker

There are a lot of Questions down to the Prime Minister and time is running very short. Mr. Page.