HC Deb 14 May 1956 vol 552 cc1638-9
24. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what further consultations have taken place between the United Kingdom, the United States and French Governments on the supply of arms to Israel following the recent supply of arms by Czechoslovakia to Syria.

Mr. Nutting

As the right hon. and learned Gentleman will be aware, there is close and frequent consultation with our Allies on the question of arms supplies to the Middle East.

Mr. Henderson

Is there any truth in the report appearing in the various newspapers that, following conversations in Paris between the Foreign Ministers, it has now been agreed that the Government of Israel should be allowed to purchase 24 Mystères from France and 12 Canadian Sabre Jets from Canada? If so, is this country making any contribution to the armaments of Israel?

Mr. Nutting

I do not think it would be in the public interest for me to go into the details of individual items which may or may not be on their way to Israel, or which may or may not be sanctioned as exports to Israel.

Mr. Shinwell

Whilst it may be inadvisable to furnish details of arms that have been sent to Israel, or to any of the Arab countries, is there any harm likely to be done by now announcing that arms are being sent to Israel by some of the Allied countries, and that it may well be that arms are being sent from this country? Is it not a good thing that that should be told to the world, and particularly to the Arab countries?

Mr. Nutting

Of course, Mr. Speaker, and I have told the right hon. Gentleman that on a number of occasions in the House of Commons.

Mr. Paget

Is it or is it not Her Majesty's Government's policy that a qualitative balance of armaments should be maintained in this area, and can that qualitative balance be maintained while tanks or any other weapons equal to those supplied from Czechoslovakia are not made available to the Israelis?

Mr. Nutting

It is Her Majesty's Government's policy to maintain a balance of arms, and quality is taken into account.

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