HC Deb 27 July 1964 vol 699 cc990-2
23. Mr. Jeger

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the Tripartite Agreement of 1950 was last discussed with the Government of France; and what assurances regarding their support of that Agreement have been given to him by the French Government.

Mr. P. Thomas

We are in normal contact with the French Government on questions affecting the Middle East, and I have every reason to believe that they share our concern for the maintenance of peace and stability in the area.

Mr. Jeger

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask whether he would not go as far as his right hon. Friend went this time last week when he said about the Tripartite Agreement that it had been confirmed quite recently by the American Government? Has he not had a similar agreement recently from the French Government, the third party to this Agreement?

Mr. Thomas

If the hon. Gentleman looks at what my right hon. Friend has said recently, he reaffirmed the statement of my right hon. Friend the Member for Bromley (Mr. H. Macmillan) on 14th May, 1963, that we regard the United Nations as primarily responsible for the maintenance of peace in the area. If any threat to peace arises, we will consult immediately with the United Nations and take whatever action we feel may be required.

Mr. Mayhew

Will the Foreign Secretary be bearing in mind during his visit to Moscow that this problem will always be a danger until some understanding is reached between the Tripartite Powers on the one hand and the Soviet Union on the other?

Mr. Thomas

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend will bear that and all other relevant matters in mind on his visit to Moscow.

Sir J. Langford-Holt

Can my right hon. Friend assure me that, until any further agreement has been reached, we still regard ourselves at least as bound by the Tripartite Declaration?

Mr. Thomas

I think the position is that the 1950 Tripartite Declaration represented the situation at that time. Since then, the Declaration has not been retracted, but I think we must accept that there has been an alteration in the arms situation in that area.