HC Deb 27 February 1957 vol 565 c1219
24. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will propose to the Rulers of Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the Trucial States reciprocal visits by Parliamentary delegations, or their equivalent, from the Persian Gulf States and the United Kingdom.

Mr. Ian Harvey

As the hon. Member will be aware, the systems of government of these States are not Parliamentary. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for my right hon. and learned Friend to propose reciprocal visits by Parliamentary delegations or their equivalent.

Mr. Warbey

Since conditions there are not only not Parliamentary but reveal a total absence of civil liberties and of modern legal rights is it not time that they were properly investigated by Members of Parliament so that we may know what goes on in our name?

Mr. Harvey

I do not think that that proposition is altogether a very sound one.