§ 21. Dr. Strossasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the recently-announced policy of the United States Administration, as a signatory of the Tripartite Agreement, no longer to object to Israel purchasing arms from countries other than the United States of America, he will now make British arms available if requested.
§ 29. Mr. Healeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the current fighting in the Gaza strip, he will now recommend allowing the export of arms from Britain to Israel.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydThere is no current ban on the supply of arms to Israel or to neighbouring Arab States. In authorising particular consignments, Her Majesty's Government have regard to their obligations under the Tripartite Declaration.
§ Dr. StrossWould not the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that a peace guaranteed by the United Nations which included the Soviet Union as guarantors would be better than an arms race between two countries both of whom are poor and cannot afford to buy arms in these quantities? May we assume that in the forthcoming talks, just referred to by the Minister in answer to the last Question, this point will be put very strongly? If there is no success, may we have an assurance that Israel's demand for arms will be met?
§ Mr. LloydAs I have said, we seek to carry out our obligations under the Tripartite Declaration, which deals with the question of the provision of arms and specifically talks about the avoidance of an arms race. We have tried in our arms policy, to avoid an arms race. I think that my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister dealt yesterday with the question of the actual conduct of the forthcoming discussions.
§ Mr. HealeyDoes not the Tripartite Declaration explicitly commit this country to maintain a balance of arms between the Arabs and Israel? Is not the supply of arms to Israel the only effective way at this moment to provide Israel with 991 that security which the right hon. Member for Woodford (Sir W. Churchill) so rightly said a day or two ago was the moral duty as well as the legal obligation of this country to provide?
§ Mr. LloydOn the supply of arms, I have always agreed that it must be our purpose to try to preserve a balance, but it would be exceedingly dangerous to lead either side to believe that its only hope of safety was in arms. We have to continue our efforts to get an agreed solution, working through the United Nations.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeHas my right hon. and learned Friend given further consideration to the point that I sought to raise a few days ago about the desirability of seeking assistance from the United States and France, both signatories to the Tripartite Declaration, in the establishment of staff talks now with Israel and Arab States, including Egypt?
§ Mr. LloydI think that an attempt to institute such talks at the present time with both sides might cause more rather than fewer complications, and it is very doubtful whether we should get the confidence of both sides.
§ Mr. YoungerIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the Press of this country and of the United States is almost unanimous in saying, rightly or wrongly, that the part of the Tripartite Declaration which envisages a possible intervention by United States, France and Britain is a dead letter? Is there not a dangerous tendency that we may fall between all these different stools—providing Israel with arms, making it clear that we will intervene, and the possibility of United Nations intervention—and could we not make certain that at least one of these remedies is effective?
§ Mr. LloydThe right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right: we would prefer, if we can, to get aggression dealt with through the United Nations. Apart from that, we stick to the point that there has been no change in our policy with regard to the obligations laid down in the Tripartite Declaration.
§ Major Legge-BourkeWill my right hon. and learned Friend bear in mind the statement made by Mr. Ben Gurion that Israel would give two blows for every one received? In the light of that 992 statement, will he give an assurance that he will not be led into taking action which is designed purely as political propaganda in the Middle East?
§ Mr. LloydI can only repeat that we shall try to carry out our obligations in regard to the supply of arms as indicated in the Tripartite Declaration.
Mr. DugdaleIn view of the Minister's original Answer that there is no specific ban on arms, may we take it that if the Israeli Government asked for fighters, which are essentially defensive weapons, that request might reasonably be considered?