6. Mr. FrankCook asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's relations with Oman.
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweWe enjoy excellent relations with the Government of the Sultanate of Oman.
Mr. CookI am delighted with the information imparted to me by the Foreign Secretary. Has anyone taken the trouble to tell him—or has he bothered to find out—that a number of United Kingdom journalists have been denied access to the Oman to do their jobs? Does he agree that such a denial of access is an obstacle to the much-vaunted freedom of the press, of which we are so proud? Does he accept that the continued denial of access can do no good to the lasting relationship between our two countries, and if so, what will he do about it?
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweThe points raised by the hon. Gentleman will be looked at.
§ Mr. HicksIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that the whole emphasis of the Omani Government and the Sultan is to strengthen political and economic relationships with Britain and, wherever possible, to award major capital investment projects to United Kingdom companies? Should not that be welcomed? Are not all the other aspects that have been mentioned in respect of the university contract wholly irrelevant?
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweI am grateful to my hon. Friend for his question. He is right to emphasise that British industry and expertise have a formidable and important part to play in the development of Oman, as they have been doing for at least the last 14 years. The United Kingdom is the second largest supplier of Oman. British exports to that country last year were just under £450 million, which represents an increase of almost 70 per cent. during the last two years.
§ Mr. JohnstonHas the right hon. and learned Gentleman seen the report that there might have been a decision by the Iranian Government that, in any escalation of the Iranian-Iraq war, it would seize an Omani island in the Straits of Hormuz? In such a case, what responsibility would the Government have to the Omani Government?
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweI have not seen the report to which the hon. Gentleman referred. Our relationship with the Omani Government on any development in the Straits of Hormuz is one of close consultation and whatever action may be necessary.
§ Mr. HealeyIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that yesterday the Omani Government joined the other Governments in the Organisation of Gulf States, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, in warning that superpower intervention in the Gulf would be resisted at all levels? In view of the great danger to freedom of passage through the Straits of Hormuz, what steps has he taken to discuss possible contingencies with the Arab states in the south of the Gulf, as well as with the Soviet Union?
§ Sir Geoffrey HoweIt is right that we should take account of the risk of any interference with passage through the Straits of Hormuz that could arise from an extension of the conflict in the Gulf. Therefore, it is a matter about which we have been consulting the Gulf states, as well as others.