President Eisenhower's Statement

HC Deb 18 April 1956 vol 551 cc993-4

40. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will associate Her Majesty's Government with the recent official pledge of President Eisenhower to support and assist any nation in the Middle East which is subject to aggression.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

Yes, Sir. Her Majesty's Government have warmly welcomed President Eisenhower's statement.

Mr. Henderson

Would the Foreign Secretary make it clear that the new statement of policy is not in any sense a derogation of the commitments contained in the 1950 Declaration, and that, in fact, the 1950 Declaration is still considered as being binding upon both Governments?

Mr. Lloyd

Certainly, there has been no change in the view of Her Majesty's Government in regard to the Tripartite Declaration, nor, so far as I am aware, in the view of the other two Governments.

Mr. Shinwell

Could we have at some time an indication of how this Declaration is to be implemented?

Mr. Lloyd

I think it would be quite impossible to indiciate in advance particular methods by which it is proposed to carry out obligations. I think it would be very dangerous.

Mr. E. Fletcher

Is it not implicit in the President's statement that the Tripartite Declaration is now superseded by what he said?

Mr. Lloyd

The Declaration deals with action both in the United Nations and without it. There has been a certain emphasis on action within the United Nations, but that does not remove the possibility of action without it.

Mr. Peyton

Does not my right hon. and learned Friend think that there is a dangerous degree of vagueness appertaining to the Tripartitte Declaration, and will he continue to press upon the American Government the desirability of their immediate adherence to the Bagdad Pact as being something which would do more than anything else to restore stability in that part of the world?

Mr. Lloyd

The view of Her Majesty's Government in regard to American membership of the Bagdad Pact is, I think, already known. As for indicating more clearly what action should be taken to carry out obligations, it is necessary for us to view these matters with the other two signatories. It seems to me that any attempt to define exactly what action should be taken in a variety of circumstances would never be feasible.