HC Deb 19 February 1958 vol 582 cc1202-3
32. Mr. Healey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent Her Majesty's Government regard their obligations to Iraq under the Bagdad Pact as now covering Jordan.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

The constitution of the new Federation of Iraq and Jordan has not yet been drawn up, but the Iraq-Jordan Agreement of 14th February stated that international obligations entered into by each State before the establishment of the Federation do not apply to the other. Therefore Her Majesty's Government's obligations towards Iraq under the Bagdad Pact do not apply to Jordan.

Mr. Healey

I thank the right hon. and learned Gentleman for that reply. Since the Agreement with the Federation permits Jordan and Iraq to have a single army and a single foreign policy, does he agree that Iraq's membership of the Bagdad Pact is a juridical fantasy which should be ended by mutual consent at the earliest moment?

Mr. Lloyd

It is much too early to say that.