HL Deb 23 February 1972 vol 328 cc510-1

2.53 p.m.

LORD HOY

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 whether they are now able to make a Statement about the position of Jews in Syria.]

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, the results of the inquiries which have been set in motion are not such as would justify specific and authoritative comment on the position of Jews in Syria.

LORD HOY

My Lords, I thank the noble Earl for that reply. Can he tell us what action has been taken, because I am certain he would not deny the allegations that were made with regard to the treatment of Jews in Syria?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, investigations have been carried out, as I said, but Her Majesty's Government consider that it would be inappropriate for them to intervene, at least at present, over this matter: first, because Her Majesty's Government have no diplomatic relations with the Syrian Government; secondly, because none of the Jews in Syria is a British subject and therefore Her Majesty's Government have no locus standi in this question; and, thirdly, because our information does not indicate any policy of sustained or consistent violent persecution by the Syrian authorities of the Jewish community in Syria.

LORD JANNER

My Lords, may I ask whether Her Majesty's Government have had any communication at all from authoritative sources in France and other parts of the world about accusations and allegations made in respect of the vicious and horrible treatment of this minority in Syria? Have we not a right to demand under the Declaration of Human Rights that this matter should be dealt with either at the United Nations or by the intervention of other nations? May I also ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make further inquiries; and if they are provided with material which will justify an intervention, will they then intervene?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I do not think it would be helpful to state what authorities have been consulted or what consultations have been held in this connection. But I hope that the noble Lord will accept from me that there have been inquiries and that information has been made available to Her Majesty's Government. But, for the reasons I gave earlier, I do not think it would be suitable or appropriate, at least at the moment, for Her Majesty's Government to intervene.