EGYPT (ARMS SUPPLIES) (Hansard, 8 December 1977)

§ Mr. Frank Allaun
I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should be given urgent consideration, namely, The £40 million arms supply from Britain to Egypt, revealed today, even bigger arms supplies in the near future, and their danger to peace in the Middle East and the world. You may remember, Mr. Speaker, that yesterday I put a question to the Foreign Secretary asking Is it correct that a vast new supply of arms to Egypt from Britain is under consideration? The Foreign Secretary replied, in a somewhat less than frank answer: I know of no massive shipment of arms, but we have traditionally, for many years, been arms suppliers to Egypt."—[Official Report, 7th December 1977; Vol. 940, c. 1375.] Today, it is reported in several reputable papers that a huge deal has been signed in Cairo. The matter is certainly definite and important. David Fairhall, the defence correspondent of The Guardian, writes of A £40 millions deal, the first in what British arms manufacturers hope will be a long term programme to refurbish the Egyptian armed forces. The Swingfire missile is to be produced in a factory near Cairo. But this is only part of a much larger package. The next supply, unless the British Government prohibit it, will be of military helicopters.
From inquiries I have made, these are but the first two of a series of arrangements which will mean virtually the complete rearming of Egypt and the estab- 1676 lishment of indigenous arms factories throughout the Arab countries.

§ Mr. Speaker
I am sorry to interrupt the hon. Gentleman, but he knows that he must not make the speech that he would make if the application were granted. He must give his reasons for urgency and importance.

§ Mr. Allaun
Yes, Mr. Speaker. I am endeavouring to stay strictly within the rules. I am showing the urgency, importance and immediacy of this matter.
This transaction is not a minor export but is part of a major strategic operation. Therefore, it is important. I also understand that, thanks to British aid, Egypt is likely to obtain shell fuses, tank gunsights, aircraft navigation aids and other weapons.
The matter is urgent for two reasons: first, because I learn that the contract for the military helicopters may be signed before Christmas and still bigger deals not long afterwards; secondly, and most important, because these supplies at this moment, when all of us hope that peace may come to the Middle East, when President Sadat has been to Israel and Prime Minister Begin was in London yesterday, may be the precise way to wreck a settlement.
A Middle East agreement is now just possible. It must not be sabotaged. Any thing more likely to exacerbate tension at this moment and create suspicion is difficult to imagine. If war starts in the Middle East, it could end next time on our doorstep in Britain.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I make this request not in any way as an antiEgyptian—I am not. I make it as one who respects both sides but who believes that Britain should help to secure peace between the two sides. That cannot be done by arming both against each other, as we have done. This arms trade is a dirty, dangerous and disgraceful business. Peace must come before money.

§ Mr. Speaker
The hon. Member for Salford, East (Mr. Allaun) asks leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely, The £40 million arms supply from Britain to Egypt, revealed today, even bigger arms 1677 Supplies in the near future, and their danger to peace in the Middle Ease and the world. Again, I listened very carefully to what the hon. Gentleman had to say, but I am afraid that I cannot accede to his request.