§ Q1. Mr. Martenasked the Prime Minister what consultations he has had with leaders of other countries during the last three months about the Middle East situation.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)During the Recess my right 1880 hon. Friend and I have been in almost continuous consultation with governments in all parts of the world about this problem. I will circulate a fuller description of these contacts in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. MartenI am very grateful for that informative reply, but could I ask the Prime Minister whether he can give an assurance that no British financial aid will be given to Egypt till such time as Egypt has opened the southern end of the Canal and let out the ships which are kept there?
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend has already taken up with the Egyptian Foreign Secretary the need for urgent action to open up the southern end even in advance of what all of us want, the general opening up of the Canal to shipping of all nations. Certainly I will give consideration to what the hon. Member has said, but I have not seen any suggestion at all for financial aid to Egypt, and I think the other question is certainly more urgent than any question of financial aid.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeMay I ask a somewhat similar question? Can we take it that no commitment has been made to anybody in Southern Arabia as to economic assistance following the withdrawal of British troops from Aden and Southern Arabia?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is a different question, which the right hon. Gentleman will no doubt wish to put to my right hon. Friend about the Southern Arabian situation, but we did undertake to the previous Government in Southern Arabia to provide certain aid, but now, of course, there is a new situation, which we are considering.
§ Mr. E. RowlandsCan my right hon. Friend say what representations the Government have made to the Egyptian authorities as a result of Egypt's sinking of the Israeli ship?
§ The Prime MinisterThe sinking of the ship and other actions which have taken place this week, of course, only exacerbate an extremely difficult situation. Things were difficult enough in relation to making a move forward in the Middle East and towards the opening of the Canal. These other actions can only make it more difficult. I do 1881 not think it helps for us to express opinions about the merits, the timing, or the location of the events which took place last week. Our concern is, with the United Nations, to get the Canal open and then to find the best way to some general Middle East settlement.
Following is the information:During the period I have discussed the matter with a number of Commonwealth leaders who have visited London. I have also been in personal correspondence with the Yugoslav President who had taken certain initiatives to explore the possibilities of a settlement. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had personal consultations with President Johnson and with a large number of Foreign Ministers of Middle Eastern and other interested countries and with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. There have also been almost continuous consultations through the diplomatic channel with a large number of Governments including the Governments concerned in the Middle East and other Governments closely interested in the achievement of a settlement in the area.