HL Deb 19 January 1972 vol 327 cc62-4

2.39 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 what representations they have received regarding the treatment of Jews residing in Syria, and what action they have taken.]

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have received representations on this subject from a number of quarters. We have undertaken to inquire into the position, and the inquiries are still continuing.

LORD HOY

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Earl for his Answer. But is he aware that Jews in that country are not allowed to leave even if they hold a foreign passport; that they are not allowed to travel more than three miles from their home; and that they are even prohibited from serving in the public sector in Syria, so that life for them is very intolerable indeed? Whatever action Her Majesty's Government could take to help alleviate this situation would be greatly appreciated.

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for drawing this matter to my attention. He will be aware that at the moment we have no diplomatic representation in Syria, and we have no information that British subjects are involved.

LORD WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, having regard to what the noble Earl has just said, may I ask him whether the Government would be prepared to put the facts as they know them—and they are in possession of certain facts with regard to the ill-treatment, cruelty and torture that is being meted out to Syrian Jews—to our representative at the United Nations, in the hope that he may have a word with the representative of the Syrian Government at the United Nations?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, the noble Lord will appreciate that what is done with the facts which are at the Government's disposal will depend on the facts which emerges from their inquiries.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, can the Government direct their energies through other channels by which we may have indirect representation to get the Syrians to agree that those who wish to leave the country should be allowed the right to do so? Secondly, could this action be taken with the minimum of publicity, since headlines on this matter have been known in the past to do an enormous amount of harm?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, we really should wait to find out the result of these inquiries, because until one knows what the problems are, it is difficult to say what action, if any, should be taken.

LORD HOY

My Lords, will the noble Earl give the House an assurance that after having examined the facts he will report to us the findings of the Government?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, if the noble Lord would care to put down another Question later on, I will do my best to see that it is answered.

LORD WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether, if the facts do disclose what many of us believe to be happening to Jews in Syria, he will ask his right honourable friend to instruct our representative at the United Nations to take some action?

EARL FERRERS

My Lords, I really think that we should wait to find out what the facts are before committing the Government in any way.