HC Deb 10 February 1960 vol 617 cc449-50
44. Mr. Healey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what consultations he has had with the other co-signatories of the Tripartite agreement regarding recent military incidents on the eastern frontier of Israel.

Mr. Profumo

These incidents and the resulting loss of life, which Her Majesty's Government deplore, do not on present evidence amount to a situation of the gravity foreseen in the Tripartite Declaration. Exchanges of view about the frontier situation are continually taking place as a matter of course between Her Majesty's Government and the interested Governments, including co-signatories of the Declaration.

Mr. Healey

Is the Minister of State aware that, according to Sir Anthony Eden's recent articles in The Times, very similar incidents were held in 1956 to justify direct British diplomatic action in certain of the capitals concerned? The situation in the demilitarised zone at this moment is extremely dangerous. What proposals has the right hon. Gentleman for dealing with a possible outbreak of general violence? Has he considered the possibility of trying to arrange that the United Nations Emergency Force should play a rôle in this area, too?

Mr. Profumo

I think that that is entering the realm of hypothesis. I have answered the Question on the Order Paper. I cannot go further and say what might happen in certain circumstances.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

Do the Government regard the Tripartite Declaration as being still in force?

Mr. Profumo

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Langford-Holt

In the view of the Government, does a state of war exist between the State of Egypt and the State of Israel?

Mr. Profumo

I cannot pronounce on that. I have already told the House that this is a matter which is capable only of legal interpretation and it is not our affair.

Mr. J. Hynd

In a previous answer, the Minister of State referred to an invitation by the United Nations to both sides to take part in discussions, but he did not say whether the two sides had agreed to take part. Are any discussions coming off?

Mr. Profumo

So far, there has been no actual agreement.

Mr. Gaitskell

Do the Government regard the Tripartite Declaration as now applying to the United Arab Republic, including Egypt?

Mr. Profumo

I do not think that I have anything to add to what I have said.

Mr. Gaitskell

It is a very straightforward question. If the Tripartite Declaration does not apply either to what used to be called Syria or to Egypt, are we to understand that it applies only to Jordan, and is that the view of the other signatories of the Declaration?

Mr. Profumo

I think that the right hon. Gentleman will have to put down a specific Question about that.