HL Deb 18 February 1971 vol 315 cc701-2

3.11 p.m.

LORD SHINWELL

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 provision will be made to safeguard British oil interests in the Persian Gulf following the withdrawal of British Forces from that area.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary is at present studying Sir William Luce's report on his recent discussions with the Rulers and hopes to be in a position to make a Statement on future Gulf policy shortly.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, I am obliged for that Answer. May I ask whether the noble Marquess is aware that I am apprised of the fact that Sir William Luce is preparing a report; and obviously we must wait for that Report? But is the noble Marquess aware that, although there appears to be unity established among the sheikhs and the sultans in the Persian Gulf, that is very much a façade? Once we withdraw our forces from the Persian Gulf there may be a recurrence of trouble, because there is a revolutionary disposition among those people. Will that be taken note of?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I naturally cannot anticipate what my right honourable friend's Statement is going to contain, but I will undertake to pass on to him the noble Lord's remarks.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, this is a matter which may well need to be considered in the light of our debate on Defence next Wednesday. There is one paragraph in the Defence White Paper which is relevant. Will the noble Marquess ask his right honourable friend whether it will be possible for a Statement to be made before Wednesday, or, if that cannot be done, whether it can be made during the course of the debate?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I will certainly undertake to pass on what the noble Lord has said, although naturally he will not expect me to give any specific undertaking in this matter.

LORD SHINWELL

My Lords, may I ask the noble Marquess whether he will also convey to his noble friend the Secretary of State for Defence that, if we have decided not to allow ourselves to be naked East of Suez, we might very well consider whether it is wise to be naked in the Persian Gulf?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I have no doubt that my noble friend has heard what the noble Lord has said.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, can the noble Marquess say either now or next Wednesday, on what grounds the State of Iran is opposed to our continued presence in the Persian Gulf?

THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN

My Lords, I think that your Lordships' will have to await the Statement from my noble friend.