§ 31. Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on negotiations which Her Majesty's Government have had with Middle East States on the construction and use of oil pipelines through their territories.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThere have been no negotiations between Her Majesty's Government and Middle Eastern Governments on this subject. However, it is obvious that no decision to construct pipelines in the Middle East can be taken without consultation with the Governments of the countries through whir-h such lines would pass.
§ Mr. JannerWill the Minister consider entering into negotiations with a friendly State, Israel, with a view to seeing that a pipeline shall be available in Israel in the case of any unfriendliness starting between other countries and our country? Does he not think that that is the best and most effective way of ensuring a regular supply of oil, and particularly in case of emergency?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThese are matters which, first of all, have a commercial basis. It is, first of all, for the oil companies concerned to enter into negotiations, but at a later stage Her Majesty's Government will be very ready to enter into talks with all the Governments concerned.