HC Deb 16 December 1968 vol 775 cc867-8
33. Mr. Colin Jackson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what further steps he is taking in order to assist in the securing of a settlement of the current Middle East crisis.

39. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to facilitate an Arab-Israeli settlement in line with the United Nations Security Council resolution of November, 1967.

48. Sir T. Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives he has taken following the Security Council resolution proposing the principles for an Arab-Israeli settlement, and with what success; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. M. Stewart

I would refer my hon. Friends and the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Sir T. Beamish) to my speech in the foreign affairs debate on 12th December.—[Vol. 775, cols. 603–4.]

Mr. Jackson

In connection with the search for a settlement, can my right hon. Friend comment on recent reports that Israel may now be more flexible concerning her claim to annex the whole of Jerusalem?

Mr. Stewart

I do not think it would be helpful for me to comment on precise aspects of the matter like that. What we have been doing is to urge on all the Governments concerned the action that we believe they could usefully take to help Dr. Jarring in his work.

Mr. Mayhew

Is it not, unfortunately, true that the efforts that we are making are not having helpful results and that the crisis is getting worse? Would not my right hon. Friend think it appropriate for certain Western European countries, going outside N.A.T.O. and W.E.U., to come together to see whether they can add a constructive contribution?

Mr. Stewart

It is Her Majesty's Government policy that there should be increasing discussion between West European nations on all matters of foreign policy. But we should notice that Dr. Jarring is proposing a further round of discussions with the parties. I think that at present the best thing we can do is to encourage him and urge the parties to help him in his work.