HC Deb 14 November 1966 vol 736 cc34-6

Mr. Winnick (by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action Britain intends to take at the United Nations over the armed clashes between Israel and some Arab States in view of the raids which took place on Sunday 13th November; and if he will make a statement.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Mrs. Eirene White)

Her Majesty's Government must await the report of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation before passing any final judgment on the incidents of the past few days near the Israel/Jordan armistice line, or deciding what further action may be necessary at the United Nations or elsewhere. But on the basis of information put out by the Israel Government, they must express their regret that the Israel Government should have responded in the way they have to the terrorist incident inside Israel on 12th November.

In the recent Security Council debate Her Majesty's Government made clear their disapproval of terrorist attacks inside Israel. They deplore the unnecessary loss of life both in the mine explosion and the subsequent military action. We hope that both sides will exercise restraint and will co-operate with the peace-keeping operations of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation.

Mr. Winnick

Is my hon. Friend aware that many of us would like to see agreement reached between the great Powers for some kind of armed control in the Middle East? Is there any chance of this being achieved? Is she further aware that many of us who opposed what Israel did in 1956 are now equally opposed to the regular bandit terrorist attacks by Arab countries against Israel?

Mrs. White

My hon. Friend may be aware that there is the United Nations organisation to which I have referred on the borders between Syria and Israel and Jordan and Israel, and also the United Nations Emergency Force on the border between the United Arab Republic and Israel. Her Majesty's Government would be glad to see the strengthening of the Truce Supervision Organisation, but this depends on the parties concerned.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Will the hon. Lady consider whether the time has not now come for yet another initiative to try to get a solution of the Arab refugee problem, the very existence of which should weigh very heavily on the conscience of this country?

Mrs. White

That is another and wider question.

Lord Balniel

Is the hon. Lady aware that we share the concern that is felt about the escalation of military activity in this area? Under the Tripartite Agreement we had some influence in controlling the arms balance in the area. Since this Agreement has lapsed, can the hon. Lady say whether the Government have taken any initiative to secure a major agreement between the great Powers to secure a balance of arms in this area?

Mrs. White

That does not depend on one country alone. We should be glad to see the pacification of this area, but there are other great Powers who are concerned in the area, as the hon. Member knows very well. Unfortunately, the United Nations Palestine Conciliation Commission to promote peace between the Arab States and Israel has not been as effective as one would have wished. I do not know whether it would be possible to revivify it, but I rather doubt it.

Sir A. Douglas-Home

The supplementary question put to the hon. Lady asked whether Her Majesty's Government had taken any initiative, with other great Powers, to see if there could be an arms limitation in this area. I do not think that the hon. Lady answered that question.

Mrs. White

As did our predecessors, we have continuously tried to find ways and means by which to bring stability to this very difficult area. But I need hardly remind the right hon. Gentleman of the difficulties which his Government found—and they were hardly a pacifying influence.

Mr. Sydney Silverman

Perhaps my hon. Friend has missed the point, that, if she is to take a new initiative, what previous Governments neglected to do is not an answer. Will she bear in mind that if the United States, the Soviet Union and this country could be brought to agree not to send arms at all to this very dangerous part of the world there would be a very great improvement in the situation? Is it too much to ask the Government, at this date, to try a new initiative towards that end?

Mrs. White

I am sure that we shall be glad to take any initiative which we felt might be effective.