§ 5. Mr. A. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether consultations have yet been resumed in Washington on the question of maintaining an arms balance in the Middle East, as provided in the 1950 Tripartite Declaration.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydAs has frequently been stated in this House, we discuss with our co-signatories of the Tripartite Declaration and with other friendly Powers the question of arms exports to the Middle East. These consultations have not stopped; the question of their resumption therefore does not arise.
§ Mr. HendersonHas the right hon. and learned Gentleman any evidence that modern arms are still being supplied to Syria and Egypt from Communist country sources? If they are, is it not time that an attempt was made to secure an international agreement with a view to prohibiting the supply of these arms to the Middle East?
§ Mr. LloydI do not think that the first part of the right hon. and learned Gentleman's Question arises out of the Question on the Order Paper. It is one which I should like carefully to consider before making my reply. If he will put it down in the form of a Question, I will try to answer it.
§ Mr. FernyhoughCan the Minister say whether, since the Suez crisis, any arms have been supplied by Her Majesty's Government to Egypt, Syria or Jordan?
§ Mr. LloydThe Question deals with consultations with friendly countries upon this matter. In the matter of exports to particular countries, if the hon. Member will put down a Question, I will see if I think it wise to answer it.