§ 18. Mr. W. O. J. Robinsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether agreement has now been reached with the various countries involved for compensation for damage to United Kingdom embassies during the Middle East crisis.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe Governments of Tunisia, Libya, Qatar and Bulgaria have either already paid for the cost of repairing British embassies and other official property in their respective countries or have agreed to do so. Notes reserving our rights to compensation have been sent to the Governments of the Lebanon, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Republic and Syria.
§ Mr. RobinsonSince the latter information was given in another place as long ago as 25th July, may we take it that the Government will take active steps to press their claim to compensation against other Governments?
§ Mr. RodgersYes, we shall certainly press this claim. It is very unfortunate that embassies are damaged in this way. It interferes with the whole basis of normal international relationships between States.