§ 3. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the British Desert Locust Team has been asked to leave the Arabian Peninsula by the Saudi Government; and what action he has taken in the matter.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerI have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Members for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) and Deptford (Sir L. Plummer) on 7th May.
§ Mr. JohnsonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that his Answer is satisfactory to no one, least of all to his own side of the House? Is he further aware that this uncivilised action of the Saudis is causing great concern, not least in Kenya? Is not this one more snub by the Saudis to the Commonwealth? Can the hon. Gentleman take up the matter in the United nations— in the Food and Agriculture Organisation, for example?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerI can assure the hon. Member that the reply gave me no satisfaction either. The matter is of great importance to a considerable number of nations in addition to the British countries concerned.
§ Mr. HastingsIs it not a fact that the breeding place of locusts is to a large extent in the Saudi-Arabian district? If that is the case, is it not quite hopeless to do anything of value to eliminate this plague except by dealing with the breeding ground?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerI think the remarks of the hon. Member are correct.
§ Mr. RobensIn view of the fact that the whole of the Saudi-Arabian economy is maintained by oil royalties from Aramco, the American oil company, will 1623 the hon. Gentleman make representations to the American State Department to see whether Saudi-Arabia would accept an American team for this purpose?
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerI will certainly consider that; but my right hon. and learned Friend has already been in touch with the United States Government on this question.