§ 15. Mr. CanavanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had about solving the outstanding problems in the middle east; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMy right hon. Friend keeps in close touch with all concerned. He discussed those issues with our G7 colleagues during the recent economic summit. The political declaration issued by the summit contained a substantive passage on the middle east. He raised the peace process with the Israeli Foreign Minister on 18 July.
§ Mr. CanavanDoes the Minister agree that Mr. Shamir's latest response to the Baker initiative is a welcome indication that the Israeli Government are at last 1159 beginning to shift from their intransigent position? Will the Minister, along with the Secretary of State, try to use his influence to pursue the point that was made in the Foreign Affairs Select Committee report, which was published earlier today, that a comprehensive peace plan should be based on United Nations Security Council resolutions 242 and 338, which provide for the recognition and security of Isreal as well as the recognition of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination?
§ Mr. HoggI suppose that this is the first time that I have agreed with every single point that the hon. Member for Falkirk, West (Mr. Canavan) has made. I agree that Mr. Shamir's response is important. I agree, too, that any discussions must be on the basis of resolutions 242 and 338. I agree further that it is essential that the participating Arab states recognise the need to maintain the security and the sovereignty of the state of Israel.