HC Deb 11 June 1958 vol 589 cc198-9
33. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what discussions have taken place with the Sultan of Muscat and Oman on the delimitation of the frontier between the Sultanate and Saudi Arabia at Buraimi; and what action Her Majesty's Government are taking to resolve this dispute.

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

As the hon. Member will know, His Highness the Sultan of Muscat and Oman is at present on a visit to this country. Her Majesty's Government are taking the opportunity of discussing with him a number of topics of mutual interest to our two countries, but I cannot reveal the nature of these private discussions.

As regards the second part of the Question I have nothing to add to the Answers which my right hon. and learned Friend gave in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Gloucestershire, West (Mr. Philips Price) on 23rd April.

Mr. Brockway

While I do not wish to harm the discussions which are taking place, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will urge that in them we should take the greatest possible effort to settle this issue and consider asking a commission of the United Nations to define the frontier because of its importance to peace in the Middle East?

Mr. Ormsby-Gore

As I think the House knows, Her Majesty's Government act over the matter of Buraimi on behalf of both the Ruler of Abu-Dhabi and the Sultan of Muscat and Oman. I am bound to say that their experience of previous arbitration in this matter with the Saudi Arabian Government does not seem to make it very likely that they would be willing to resume negotiations of that kind.