HC Deb 12 December 1968 vol 775 cc577-8
Q4. Mr. Colin Jackson

asked the Prime Minister whether he will call a Heads of Government Conference of Great Britain, France, the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics with a view to pro- curing a ban on arms supplies to the Arab States and Israel and to securing the immediate implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution of 22nd November, 1967.

The Prime Minister

I do not think that a proposal of this kind would be productive in present circumstances. We have, however, repeatedly made it clear that, in our view, it would be in the best interests of all concerned to construct a settlement within the framework of the Security Council Resolution of November, 1967, which Britain sponsored.

Mr. Jackson

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that there are many signs of a dangerous drift towards a war situation in the Middle East? As originators of the resolution of 22nd November, have not Her Majesty's Government a special opportunity to strengthen the effort of Dr. Jarring?

The Prime Minister

I doubt whether any other Foreign Minister has done as much as my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to strengthen the efforts of Dr. Jarring to make a reality of that resolution. It would be a mistake, however, to try to tackle the problem by isolating one single item, as my hon. Friend has done, and, if we can, make progress alone in that direction. I regret to say that my hon. Friend's proposal is not realistic. The important thing is to get an agreed programme and timetable, with balanced phasing and the agreed requirements of both sides, and then proceed to see it through. My right hon. Friend and I are having discussions with Mr. Eban on one aspect, as we have already had with the Egyptian Foreign Minister.

Mr. Farr

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is an even more urgent case for calling a conference of Heads of Government to control the supply of arms to Nigeria and Biafra?

The Prime Minister

We shall be debating these matters later today and no doubt my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary will deal with the subject of Nigeria. As the hon. Gentleman knows, British Ministers are in Africa now doing what they can to help. The problem is much wider than the single one of arms and far more needs to be done than just what the hon. Gentleman suggests.