HC Deb 13 May 1957 vol 570 cc16-7
30. Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of Her Majesty's Government's favourable attitude at the Assembly of the United Nations towards the suggestion of the Israeli representative there that a pilot plan for aerial inspections and limitation of armaments might be tried out in the Middle East, if Her Majesty's Government will put forward a proposal on these lines at the meetings of the Disarmament Sub-Committee.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

No, Sir. As the United Kingdom delegate said at the time, we think the Israeli suggestion an interesting one. But since it would require the consent of all the Governments concerned, I doubt if it is at present practicable.

Mr. Janner

Would not the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that such a pilot disarmament scheme in the Middle East would fit in with the idea of a partial disarmament agreement which all the Powers now favour? Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman not aware that Senator Humphreys, the Chairman of the Disarmament Sub-Committee of the United States Senate, has also declared publicly that he would be in favour of a scheme of this description? Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman think that it would be worth while to bring forward this suggestion with a view to examining its possibilities?

Mr. Lloyd

I have nothing against such a scheme. The hon. Gentleman will realise that, if the countries concerned are to accept such a scheme, it would be better to consult them before some other body might seek to impose it upon them.