HC Deb 24 November 1970 vol 807 cc227-8
Q3. Mr. Mayhew

asked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his recent conversations with the Prime Minister of Israel.

The Prime Minister

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Leeds, East (Mr. Healey) on 5th November.—[Vol. 805, c. 445.]

Mr. Mayhew

What are the Government proposing to do to follow up the quite successful start which they have made in the Middle East? Are they, for instance, proposing to collaborate more closely with the French in checking the Arabs' dependence on the Russians and seeking for a settlement?

The Prime Minister

We have been co-operating with other Powers in the four-Power talks in New York. We shall continue to do that and to work as closely as possible with those who share the same ideas about a settlement in the Middle East.

Mr. Fidler

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that it is the Government's view that any settlement must be on terms which Israel regards as guaranteeing her security?

The Prime Minister

In his speech at Harrogate my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary emphasised that the purpose of a settlement was to give secure frontiers to Israel. This must be a negotiated settlement between Israel and the Arab countries.

Mr. Kaufman

In view of Major Jalloud's categorical statement that if Britain supplies Chieftain tanks to Libya, Libya is determined to use those tanks against Israel, will the Prime Minister give a categorical assurance that no Chieftain tanks will be supplied to Libya?

The Prime Minister

That question is entirely separate from that which I am now answering.