§ 26. Mr. Bellengerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the Anglo-Jordanian Treaty.
§ Commander NobleI have nothing to add to the reply given on 5th December to the hon. Members for Gloucestershire, West (Mr. Philips Price) and Leeds, East (Mr. Healey).
§ Mr. BellengerAm I to understand, arising out of the earlier reply, that Her Majesty's Government are going to do nothing except, presumably, to continue the present subsidy to Jordan until Jordan takes the initiative? Is that not a somewhat undignified position not only for Her Majesty's Government but for this country to be in?
§ Commander NobleI do not think so at all. Her Majesty's Government have not yet received a formal request from the Jordan Government for negotiations to terminate the Anglo-Jordan Treaty in an agreed manner. The question of subsidy is closely connected with the Treaty.
§ Mr. YoungerIs it entirely a question of receiving representations from the Jordan Government? Ought not Her Majesty's Government to be making up their minds whether it is worth while now for the British taxpayer to be paying this subvention? What is the position about these payments? Are they going on, or is sonic considerable period of delay to elapse before any further payments have to be made?
§ Commander NobleThe instalment for December has been paid. I think that although Her Majesty's Government may be considering this matter, it is for the Government of Jordan to make the proposals for the termination of the treaty.