HC Deb 21 June 1965 vol 714 cc1188-90
28. Mr. Jackson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he plans to make a visit to the Middle East.

36. Mr. Fisher

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the recent statement by Her Majesty's Ambassador to the United Arab Republic that an official Ministerial visit to Cairo is under consideration, he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's plans for such a visit.

Mr. George Thomson

We have the possibility of further Ministerial visits to the area, including Cairo, very much in mind. But the timing must be right and we are still considering the matter.

Mr. Jackson

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Bearing in mind that today is a day on which a United Arab Republic Parliamentary delegation is arriving in this country, which I think regardless of politics the whole House will welcome, is not this a good time to plan for a visit to Cairo later on when at any rate differences of views between Britain and Egypt over the Yemen could be discussed and certainly practical measures for an increase of trade?

Mr. Thomson

On behalf of Her Majesty's Government, I should like to welcome the important delegation of Parliamentarians from the United Arab Republic to which my hon. Friend referred. The timing of a possible Ministerial visit to the United Arab Republic is something which needs careful consideration, because it is important that if it takes place it should register a positive achievement.

Mr. Fisher

In view of the terrorist activities inspired from Cairo which have resulted in the killing of British Service personnel and Arab civilians, is this a good time to make a Ministerial goodwill visit to Cairo? Can the hon. Gentleman also tell me why the director of Cairo Radio, which has been responsible for the most anti-British propaganda for years, is now, as I understand from the Press, the honoured guest of Her Majesty's Government in London?

Mr. Thomson

The violence which is occurring in Southern Arabia and is supported by forces in Cairo is certainly one of the difficulties in the way of bringing about the visit to which both these Questions refer, but Her Majesty's Government are anxious to explore by any means they can ways in which these difficulties between our countries can be removed. It is in the light of that, that the timing of this visit has to be carefully considered.

Sir B. Janner

In his negotiations for visits of this kind would my hon. Friend keep in mind the fact that Cairo, with its violent anti-British propaganda and anti-United Nations propaganda, and particularly with regard to Israel, should be given to understand that we will not stand for that kind of propaganda? Will he express to this individual who has come to this country that we highly deprecate the kind of propaganda emanating day by day from his Cairo Radio?

Mr. Thomson

I think that everyone deplores the advocacy of violence which comes from Cairo Radio, just as everyone deplores the degree of support given to terroristic activities in Southern Arabia, but by far the best means of trying to find a way out of this situation is to allow people from the United Arab Republic to come here and talk with people here and find out for themselves how strongly public opinion feels about this matter and how much it is an obstacle to sensible and good relations between the two countries.

Mr. Maudling

Is it really the fact that the director of Cairo Radio is now here, as my hon. Friend said, as honoured guest of Her Majesty's Government? It seems incredible.

Mr. Thomson

I do not have exact information on all the members of the delegation, but I understand that one of the members is associated with information which comes from Cairo Radio.

Mr. W. T. Williams

Whatever may be the advantages or disadvantages of visiting Cairo, may we press the Minister nevertheless to make a visit to the Middle East as soon as possible because, quite apart from propaganda from Cairo, there is a good deal of unrest and misunderstanding of British policy among countries which have hitherto been a great deal more friendly to us, the Lebanon and Jordan in particular? Does not my hon. Friend feel that a visit by him or one of his colleagues in the Department would be of advantage in making plain to these people what British policy is and Britain's continuing friendliness towards these States?

Mr. Thomson

As I said, we have further Ministerial visits to the Middle East generally very much in mind. I recently visited the Gulf, and I had hoped to visit Beirut on my way back but, unfortunately, Parliamentary business here prevented that visit taking place. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Overseas Development has just returned from a visit to the Lebanon and Jordan, and further visits of this kind will be undertaken as opportunity offers.

Sir G. Nicholson

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that the House has been deeply shocked by what it has been told about this official from Cairo Radio? Are we to understand that the hon. Gentleman himself was not aware of what is happening, and does not he realise that there comes a point beyond which turning the other cheek is just interpreted as weakness?

Mr. Thomson

I was aware of the delegation which was arriving here and of its composition. I stick to my point that the best way to deal with these matters is to try to clear up misunderstandings and to let people know exactly how the British people feel about these matters.