HC Deb 28 July 1958 vol 592 cc934-5
25. Viscount Hinchingbrooke

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action is being taken to associate our partners in Western European Union with British policy in the Middle East.

Mr. Ian Harvey

We have been in consultation with our Western European Union partners in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and, where appropriate, bilaterally and in the United Nations.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

I am much obliged to my hon. Friend for his reply. Would it not be helpful and useful a little later to have a meeting of the heads of certain States like Germany, France and Italy within the context of Western European Union about these great diplomatic and military moves in the Middle East, in the same manner as a Summit Conference is now being sought under the auspices of the United Nations?

Mr. Harvey

I am obliged to my noble Friend. Obviously, we would wish to do anything that was helpful and useful. At the moment, all I would say is that it is wise to bear these matters in mind.

Mr. M. Noel-Baker

Can the hon. Gentleman confirm the report in The Times that the delegates of Germany, Italy and Scandinavian countries expressed great concern at the N.A.T.O. Council about the British and American intervention in the Middle East?

Mr. Harvey

No.