HC Deb 26 February 1968 vol 759 cc924-5
10. Mr. Moyle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when diplomatic relations are to be restored between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Algeria.

Mr. George Brown

We are in touch with the Algerian Government. There have been further discussions recently and I am hopeful that we can resume diplomatic relations in the near future.

Mr. Moyle

Will my right hon. Friend make every effort to achieve success in these discussions, since he could then represent to the Algerian Government the fact that oil is reaching the illegal regime in Rhodesia via Total, the French company?

Mr. Brown

Without commenting on my hon. Friend's assertion, which I have no grounds for supporting or denying, I must make it clear to the House that if we are in diplomatic relations with the Algerian Government we shall be in a better position to exert influence in a number of areas in which we are interested, including this one.

Mr. Wood

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any further news about the British aircraft, in respect of which questions were put to his hon. Friend the other day? Can he also say what contribution this country is making in various ways to the economy of Algeria?

Mr. Brown

I do not think that I can answer the second part of that question without notice. To answer the first part, I have reason to believe that, as we make progress with the resumption of diplomatic relations and as our relations with the Algerians improve, the release of the aircraft will be a much more definite possibility.