HC Deb 25 March 1963 vol 674 cc948-9
50. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Lord Privy Seal what relationship Her Majesty's Government envisages for the future between the United Kingdom and the Sheikdoms of the Persian Gulf.

Mr. Heath

The Sheikdoms of the Persian Gulf, Bahrain, Qatar and the Trucial States, are independent Sheikdoms, having special treaty relations with the United Kingdom governing their international relations. Their relationship with Her Majesty's Government could be reviewed and adjusted when required, but the Rulers have expressed no desire that this should be done. Meanwhile, Her Majesty's Government's obligation to protect these territories remains.

Mr. Mayhew

Is the Lord Privy Seal aware that these treaties are now dangerously out of date? Will he institute a special and thorough review of our whole responsibilities and political position in the Gulf, otherwise we shall let ourselves in for a great deal of avoidable trouble and embarrassment in the near future?

Mr. Heath

I do not share the hon. Member's view about the nature of these treaties. The situation in the Gulf is, of course, under the constant attention of Her Majesty's Government. Kuwait, for example, developed through a gradual process to complete independence, which culminated in the exchange of letters on 19th June, 1961. That is an example of how the situation has developed. I assure the hon. Member and the House that the whole situation in the Gulf is constantly under our attention.

Mr. Mayhew

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that reply is not satisfactory, that Kuwait is not an analogy, that the other Sheikdoms are in no way comparable and that neither the Sheikdoms nor the policy of Her Majesty's Government appear to be at all viable in the near future?

Mr. Heath

I gave the example of Kuwait as an instance of a Sheikdom which had developed to complete independence. I am not saying that the other Sheikdoms in the Gulf are capable of doing that. What is necessary is that our policy towards the Sheikdoms should be up to date, and I assure the hon. Member that that is so.