§ 2.39 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the policy with regard to supplying modern jet-engined military aeroplanes to the countries in the Middle East; how many such aeroplanes have been supplied during the last six months, and to which countries; and how many is it agreed to supply in the near future, and to which countries.]
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF READING)My Lords, as a result of the changes in the defence programme announced by the Prime Minister last July, it has become possible to resume the export of jet aircraft, which had been suspended after the outbreak of war in Korea, and thus to meet the requests of foreign Governments, including those of the Middle East, some of whom had placed orders and made payments on account as long ago as 1950. Her Majesty's Government have, of course, to satisfy themselves that there are no strong political objections. Their policy in such matters is based on the Joint Statement 1082 by the Governments of the United Kingdom, the United States of America and France on May 25, 1950. This recognised the need of the Arab Slates and Israel to maintain a certain level of armed force for internal security and legitimate self-defence, and also for the purpose of enabling them to play their part in the defence of the area as a whole.
The aircraft in question are jet fighters and, as such, essentially a defensive weapon, and Her Majesty's Government do not consider that their action in authorising the supply of these aircraft is in any way inconsistent with their responsibilities under the Joint Statement. The undertaking given in that Statement to prevent the violation of frontiers or armistice lines remains of full force and effect. It is not the practice of Her Majesty's Government to disclose publicly details of defence equipment supplied to foreign Governments, but I can assure the noble Lord that the number of aircraft already exported and authorised by Her Majesty's Government for export in the near future is small.
LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Marquess, but I venture to ask Her Majesty's Government whether the names of the States who received these aircraft can be given. Is not Egypt one of them? Are not our own Forces in Egypt under threat of violence at the present time? Therefore, what is the sense of our supplying modern aircraft to Egypt?
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, that raises, of course, a considerable question, which is not easily dealt with by supplementary question and answer in this House. Egypt is one of the countries with which we have been dealing in respect of these aircraft.
LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, I am sorry, but I must press the noble Marquess. Is he aware that our Forces in Egypt are under threat of violence at the present time, and that most inflammatory speeches are being made?
THE MARQUESS OF READINGMy Lords, I am perfectly well aware that in the last few weeks some inflammatory speeches have been, regrettably, made. The question of these aeroplanes predates the making of those statements by some considerable time. As the noble 1083 Lord knows, we are conducting negotiations with Egypt over the question of the Sudan. I hope the noble Lord will not think that merely because some persons make inflammatory statements therefore we should no longer continue negotiations on what are matters of considerable importance to both countries.
LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, I am sorry, but the noble Marquess has not really answered my Question. I also asked what future supplies are to be made. The noble Marquess speaks of inflammatory speeches by "persons," but I am referring to speeches by Ministers in the present Government of Egypt. I should like to ask a further question. There is supposed to be a state of war in existence between certain Arab States and Israel. What is the sense, therefore, of supplying aircraft to people who are in a state of war?
THE MARQUESS OF READINGI referred in the course of my original answer to the Joint Statement of the three Powers. That regulates the position and, as I have said, the undertaking given in that Statement is still of full force.