HL Deb 09 July 1969 vol 303 cc1052-4

2.43 p.m.

LORD BROCKWAY

My 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 what progress has been made in the Four-Power talks between the U.S.A., the Soviet Union, Britain and France to facilitate a settlement between the Arab nations and Israel.]

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, some progress has been made in the Four-Power talks, and I am sure my noble friend will not expect me at this stage to go into details. The four have decided to postpone fixing a time for their next meeting because of important consultations which are taking place among Governments. But a working group of deputies will continue to meet.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that Answer, may I ask whether he can confirm that the American representative who is going to Moscow will call at Paris and London en route there? If so, could Her Majesty's Government urge some immediate steps, if not a comprehensive settlement, in regard to this problem which is so dangerous to the peace of the world?

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, I am afraid that I cannot confirm the itinerary of the American representative mentioned by my noble friend. I can, of course, say that we should like to see a settlement of this problem. It is urgently needed, and that is why we have been active from the outset in the quest for a settlement. We expect these talks to resume in a matter of weeks, and I hope that we may then see some further progress.

LORD BROCKWAY

But, my Lords, is not the matter most urgent? Is it not the case that yesterday there was the biggest air conflict since the war and the troubles in Suez and Jordan? Is it possible for Her Majesty's Government, in view of the danger to the peace of the world, to urge a United Nations peacekeeping force to prevent the conflict between the two sides?

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, of course Her Majesty's Government would agree that any violations of the ceasefire make settlement of this problem more difficult. In reply to the second part of my noble friend's question, I can only say that I think it would be wiser to await the further outcome of these talks among the four. If the four great Powers could arrive at some proposals which they would then put to the people mainly concerned in the area, I think there would be some chance of their proposals being accepted. But before we think in terms of any other kind of action. I believe we should wait and see how far the four Powers can get in proposing some kind of settlement.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, are we not in danger of becoming somewhat selective in our support of the United Nations? If we repudiate decisions of the United Nations which we regard as manifestly unjust, as in the case of Gibraltar, can we deny to other countries the right to repudiate United Nations' decisions which they feel may endanger their own security?

LORD CHALFONT

My Lords, I think this is a question partly of the Charter of the United Nations and the actions that are allowed within the purview of that Charter. Certainly we should not deny to any other country the right to take any action or any attitude that it wishes in its own interests, and this of course is what Her Majesty's Government would do.