§ 9. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will institute discussions with a view to the acquisition by the United Nations by purchase, by long lease or otherwise, of the Sinai Peninsula as a buffer zone and first world district.
§ Mr. EnnalsNo, Sir. There is no prospect that the Egyptian Government would agree to such a proposal.
§ Mr. KnoxThe right hon. Gentleman's answer is rather disappointing. Is he aware that about 70 hon. Members in 1965, 1967 and 1973 gave support to this proposal? Will he reconsider his answer?
§ Mr. EnnalsThe matter was considered at that time. Certainly I considered the matter when the hon. Gentle-man and some of his colleagues put forward this idea only a few months ago—in fact, some time last year. Although it could conceivably be of interest as part of an overall long-term settlement of the Arab-Israeli dispute, I think that at the moment it is premature. I am not saying that it is not an idea that we shall be examining at a later date.
§ Mr. FauldsWould it not be more advisable, and would it not save a good deal of trouble in future, if the whole of the area that used to be Palestine and is now called Israel were to become the United Nation's first world district, instead of it existing, as now, as one of the world's leading racialist States?
§ Mr. EnnalsI hardly think that that proposal is likely to find international agreement, either.