§ 25. Mr. Beswickasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what discussions have been held or inquiries made in response to the Soviet Notes of 11th February, 1957, and 19th April, 1957, in which a joint declaration was suggested based upon the principles of noninterference in the domestic affairs of the Middle East countries, reciprocal refusal to deliver arms to the Middle Eastern countries, the promotion of economic development in Middle Eastern countries without political terms, the liquidation of foreign bases and the withdrawal of foreign troops from the Middle Eastern countries; and if he will state Her Majesty's Government's policy on these matters.
Mr. LloydThe two Soviet Notes to which the hon. Member refers were answered by Notes from Her Majesty's Government dated 11th March and 11th June, 1957, which were published at the time.
§ Mr. BeswickWould it be correct to say that those Notes did not give any indication that we were prepared to discuss with the Soviet Union an agreement based upon the principle enumerated in those Notes and which I have mentioned in my Question? Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman think it rather strange that his back benchers should now be asking for armed intervention in the Middle East again when we have not even tried to get a discussion on the constructive principles set out by the Soviet Union?
Mr. LloydThat is a grossly incorrect reference to anything that my hon. Friends have said today. So far as the Soviet Notes are concerned, if the hon. Gentleman will read again the replies of the two dates he will see that the arguments are dealt with. So far as an agenda for future discussion is concerned, that is a different matter.
§ Mr. BeswickDid the right hon. and learned Gentleman say in his answer to these Notes that he was prepared to discuss these constructive proposals or not?
Mr. LloydIn fact, we did discuss these proposals in the answers and gave the reasons why they were not very helpful.