HC Deb 27 April 1965 vol 711 cc223-5
Q7. Sir J. Langford-Holt

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on his talks with the Prime Minister of Israel.

The Prime Minister

Mr. Eshkol's visit to London provided my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and myself with a welcome opportunity to discuss with him, in accordance with the friendly relations between our two countries, a wide range of subjects of mutual interest and concern, especially Anglo-Israel relations and the situation in the Middle East.

Sir J. Langford-Holt

In view of the fact that the situation in the Middle East appears to be becoming daily more explosive as a result of the water problem, can the Prime Minister assure the House that the Government are conscious of this deterioration in the situation and tell the House what steps they have in mind to combat it?

The Prime Minister

We discussed the water question pretty thoroughly with Mr. Eshkol when he was over here, and there are continuing discussions all the time between Her Majesty's representatives abroad and some of the other countries concerned. I am sure that the House will agree that, however strongly any of the countries concerned feel about possible diversions—and there are diversions going on in a number of directions—this matter must be settled by agreement. If there is an act which may be regarded as provocative, it should be taken to the United Nations and not made the subject of an attempt at settlement by armed conflict, or anything of that nature.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Has the Prime Minister any new ideas how to solve the Arab refugee problem, and can he say whether this was discussed at all with Mr. Eshkol? Those of us who were here at the time have it on our consciences.

The Prime Minister

I believe that there was some discussion of this problem between my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and Mr. Eshkol, although in my own discussions with him we concentrated on other matters. On this occasion I was not discussing the refugee problem, which I have discussed in a previous capacity with Israeli Government members.

Mr. Maxwell

Can my right hon. Friend say what possible initiative Her Majesty's Government is taking to support President Bourguiba's announcement of a possible settlement of the Israeli-Arab dispute, which has been smouldering for so long?

The Prime Minister

This is a rather new initiative taken by President Bourguiba. We shall wish to consider what he has suggested, although on a first reading of the statement I can see some difficulties about his proposal.

Sir Ian Orr-Ewing

Reverting to the point about the Jordan waters, will the Prime Minister consider asking the United Nations to strengthen its representation in this area, so that the true facts are known and can be observed independently on the spot? There is a great difference of opinion as to just what is going on, particularly in the Arab countries, with regard to the diversion of the Jordan waters.

The Prime Minister

I am not sure that there is a dispute about what is going on on the water side. The United Nations representation there is mainly in terms of supervision and military troops. As for the water situation, there is an acute need for water in the whole area by all countries and this lends great emphasis to the need to devise methods for making fresh water out of salt water, about which a great deal of experimentation is going on at the southern end of Israel. Let us hope that that can be speeded up sufficiently to avoid a shortage of water either in Israel or in the Arab countries while the present diversions are going on.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Lubbock.

Mr. Fisher

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I do not think it is quite half-past three.

Mr. Speaker

I bona fide thought it was, but I cannot go back on my bad judgment.

Mr. Fell

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. It was quite clear to everybody—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."] It was quite clear to everybody in the House that it was not quite half-past three. Surely you, Sir, in your conduct of the House, nave every right to change your mind when you find that it is not quite half-past three, or when it is drawn to your attention.

Mr. Speaker

Having already called the next item of business, I did not think that I ought to do so. I regret my misjudgment of the clock. It is not possible to be infallible in all matters at all times.

Mr. Fisher

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I do not wish to make much of a point of this, but I do not recall that you had, in fact, announced the next business.

Mr. Speaker

I thought that I had called the hon. Member for Orpington (Mr. Lubbock). [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] All right, I made a bad excuse for refusing to revise my estimate of time, but I still do not revise it. I am sorry. A bona fide effort to tell the clock was badly made.

Sir Knox Cunningham

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is not it usual for you to receive guidance as to the time from the Clerk at the Table, and would not you take that opportunity on this occasion and future occasions?

Mr. Speaker

I never, at half-past three, receive guidance as to the time from any Clerk at the Table.