§ 2.43 p.m.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make a statement on the position in Kuwait in relation to the statements which have been made from Iraq and Saudi Arabia.]
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, the Exchange of Notes of June 19, 1961, between the United Kingdom Government and Kuwait was an agreement between two independent and sovereign States, and was not an instrument by which Kuwait achieved an independence which she had previously lacked. Kuwait had been internationally recognised as an independent and sovereign State for some time past. A large number of other States had already voted for her admission to various international organisations.
Kuwait's independence is therefore a fact, and the United Kingdom's support for it is embodied in the terms of the agreement of June 19 to which I have referred. Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Kuwait have been in consultation, and Her Majesty's Government have assured the Ruler of their support.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I do not think I have anything to add or to ask in the circumstances. We must now await events, I think.