§ 28. Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will now make a further statement on the outcome of discussions with the rulers and Governments in the Gulf about defence arrangements after 1971.
§ 56. Mr. Laneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a further statement on his discussions about future relations with the Gulf States.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeSir William Luce has only recently returned from his latest tour of consultations. His further report is being considered. I hope to be in a position to make a statement very shortly.
§ Mr. WilkinsonCan my right hon. Friend give an assurance that a statement 30 will be made before the two-day debate takes place in this House on the Defence White Paper at the beginning of next week, because this is an area of crucial strategic importance from which Western Europe derives three-quarters of its oil?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeYes, Sir; in response to my hon. Friend's supplementary question, I will certainly try to do that. It is, however, important that we get this matter right; in other words, it is vital that we get the right decision made in relation to this area.
§ Mr. LaneWhatever may be the future defence arrangements, may I ask my right hon. Friend to confirm that Her Majesty's Government will continue to give full support to British commercial and trading activities in the Gulf area?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-Homeindicated assent.
§ Mr. HealeyWhile I strongly support what was said by the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Wilkinson) about the need for a statement to be made in the House before next week's defence debate, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that such a statement should also be made before the debate on the Defence White Paper takes place in another place?
Why has there been this long delay? The right hon. Gentleman must know that Sir William Luce expressed the view in December, 1969, that we should stick to the Labour Government's timetable for withdrawal and that this is the view of all the major Governments concerned in the area.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeSir William Luce has looked into this problem with objectivity—he has not linked it to the policy of either the Socialist Government or the Conservative Government—and has recommended a policy, after consultation with the rulers, which he thinks would serve the area and British interests. I want to consider it. I could not make a statement before the debate takes place in another place, but I shall try to do so before the debate takes place in this House.