§ 34. Mr. Matherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress towards a Union of Arab Emirates between the Trucial States and Bahrain and Qatar.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeRecent efforts by the Saudi Arabian and Kuwaiti 881 Governments have not yet brought about agreement on a constitution between the member States of the Union of Arab Emirates. The situation is now being considered by the Governments concerned, and Sir William Luce is now visiting the area again at my request to make an up-to-date assessment.
§ Mr. MatherWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him, in view of the increasing instability in the area and the territorial threats from various sources, whether he can give an assurance that there will be no hasty decision about withdrawal of British troops from the area?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeI think my hon. Friend knows the position about the withdrawal. We are taking infinite care to create the right political structure in which we can make treaty arrangements.
§ Mr. HealeyCould the Foreign Secretary tell us what the Government's view is of recent statements from the Iranian Government concerning the Tumbs and Abu Musa? Does he not recognise that there is a risk of a rather squalid and ludicrous military confrontation on these tiny islands unless there is rapid progress in making a settlement, and can he tell us how far he has gone?
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeThe need to settle this question is obvious, but I would rather not go into details now, and perhaps the right hon. Gentleman could put down a Question later.