§ 20. Mr. Croninasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on recent events in the Middle East.
§ 22. Mr. Laneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a further statement on the situation in the Middle East involving British policy and interests.
§ 23. Mr. Waltersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in the Middle East so far as British policy or interests are concerned.
§ 40. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has any further statement to make on the situation in the Middle East
§ Mr. M. StewartThe situation in the Middle East is naturally causing us concern. We have been discussing, with others who are concerned, the possibility of arms limitation and measures to reduce the present level of hostilities. We are continuing to play an active part in the 25 four power talks, whose agreed purpose is to provide fresh guidance for Dr. Jarring, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General.
§ Mr. CroninWill my right hon. Friend convey to the Arab Governments the increasing detestation felt in this country for the activities of Arab guerrillas? Would he also make clear to them what harm it is doing to the Arab cause in this country?
§ Mr. StewartWe have repeatedly made clear our detestation of acts of violence, by whomsoever committed. What is needed now is a period of quiet in the Middle East, and the determination of all parties to reach agreement based on the Security Council resolution.
§ Mr. LaneIn the continuing four-Power discussions will the Government urge that any Arab-Israeli agreement, once reached, should be safeguarded and policed by a permanent United Nations presence in the Middle East, both diplomatic and military?
§ Mr. StewartI do not think that I would want to commit myself to that now. We would have to see what the nature of the agreement was. I certainly would not rule out that a United Nations presence at certain points would have to be part of a lasting agreement. I do not think we ought to try to predict what it will be.
§ Mr. WaltersBearing in mind that the Rogers plan was perhaps the most hopeful step since November, 1967, towards achieving a settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, is the Foreign Secretary aware that a British initiative, either independently or in association with France, has been widely expected? Why has it not taken place?
§ Mr. StewartThe hon. Member referred to the ideas put forward by the United States Secretary of State. It is universally accepted that these have gone further towards agreement than the United States has previously felt able to go. For that reason we have asked Arab countries to consider these ideas most carefully and to see how far they can go in agreement on that basis. That is the right thing to do at this stage.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerMay I press the Foreign Secretary a little further on that? Will he have an investigation made, without commitment, into the possibilities of a European guarantee in the event of the nuclear Powers being deadlocked on this issue?
§ Mr. StewartWe have considered this before, but I do not think we ought to assume at this stage that the four-Power talks will end in deadlock.
§ Mr. MoonmanWould not my right hon. Friend agree that the situation is sufficiently serious to warrant a Minister taking responsibility to stimulate some of the discussions, particularly in view of a recent statement that the Russians intend to escalate the whole question of arms into the area?
§ Mr. StewartI would discount what my hon. Friend has said at the end of his supplementary question. It has been our concern, and I think everyone's concern, to avoid escalation.
§ Mr. LambtonWould the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is still the Government's intention to allow arms sales to Libya?
§ Mr. StewartThat is another question.