§ 3.8 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the deepening crisis in the Middle East, and the apparent failure of the bilateral talks between United States and Soviet representatives, they will take an early initiative, either alone or in concert with the French Government, designed to break the impasse.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (LORD SHEPHERD)My Lords, although I do not accept the second premise in the Question of the noble Earl, Lord Jellicoe, I agree that the situation in the Middle East is serious and that there is an urgent need for international action. I am therefore pleased to say that talks between representatives of the four Permanent Members of the Security Council resumed in New York on December 2. We hope that the four will be able to agree on fresh guidance for the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Dr. Jarring, and that this guidance will enable him, in collaboration with the parties, to make progress in his mission.
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for his reply, and I am of course glad to learn, as we all must be, about the resumption of Four-Power talks in New York. However, in view of the vast importance of this problem for Western Europe, and indeed for the peace of the world; in view of the greater possibility which now exists for concerting policies between the British and French Governments, and in view of the apparent failure, up to now, of the ability of the Soviet Union and the United States to agree on a joint 191 approach to this problem, would not the noble Lord agree that there is at least scope here for a more concerted approach by the British and French Governments to these very important problems of the Middle East?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, as I have already said, I do not accept the use of the word "failure", or even the words "apparent failure". This is a very difficult problem, as the noble Earl will know. The Soviet Union and the United States have been in consultation but have not yet been able to find the right solution. The fact that Britain and France are now again taking part in these meetings might indicate that there has been some move, and that we may be able to see more progress. I would not want to go any further than that at this stage.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend, while welcoming the action of the four Powers, whether his attention has been drawn to the constructive proposal by President Boumedienne, of Algeria, that there should be an association between Israel and a Palestine State? And in view of the close connection between France and Algeria, might it not be that this matter should be raised with them, as well as with the United Nations' representative and the Four-Power meeting?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I have seen those proposals, as I have seen many others, for the settlement of this affair. I personally would prefer now to leave it with the four parties to continue their discussions in New York.
§ LORD BOURNEMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord the Minister this question? Observing that the present climate in the Middle East could hardly be more unfavourable, and that any solution arrived at must be backed up by guarantees, including if necessary the use of force to support that solution, do Her Majesty's Government prefer that guarantee to be given by the United Nations, with a United Nations peace-keeping force on the ground, or by the four Powers concerned in the very welcome talks now going on in New York, with a four-Power force on the ground and, if necessary, in the air?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I think I have already indicated to the House that at this present stage I do not want to say anything further than I have done. Therefore, I hope the noble Lord will forgive me if I do not reply to him.
THE LORD BISHOP OF LEICESTERMy Lords, is the Minister aware that the International Department of the British Council of Churches has been giving prolonged and informed attention to this matter, and that the Churches, and I think other religious communities, would be very gratified if Her Majesty's Government could discover any initiative which they themselves, with possibly some other European countries, could take in the present impasse?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, again I do not want to go any further than what I have already said, but I hope the House will accept that we shall be governed only by our own desire to bring this war to an end as rapidly as possible.
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, while not wishing unnecessarily to break in upon the noble Lord's coyness in this matter—and I recognise the need for discretion here—can he at least assure us that there is close and continuing contact in this area between the British and French Governments?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, there is a great deal of informal contact, as the noble Earl, Lord Jellicoe, will know, at the United Nations.
§ LORD SHEPHERDYes.
§ LORD GORE-BOOTHMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord a question arising out of his original Answer? Given that it is possible that it may be difficult for the four Permanent Members of the Security Council to make early progress, would it not in any case be reassuring if there could be some resumption of conciliation work in the area by the United Nations itself, even if the possibilities are limited?
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, clearly, in the end, this will be a matter for the United Nations; but we know that Dr. Jarring is most anxious to make progress here and is now awaiting fresh instructions.