HL Deb 10 May 1973 vol 342 cc511-2

3.20 p.m.

LORD JANNER

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 action is being taken at the United Nations to condemn Syria for sending troops recently into Lebanon to fight the Lebanese forces and to assist the terrorists who are being trained there for hijacking, the sending of explosives in letters throughout the world, murder and other actions for exercising violence.

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, we have no evidence that Syria has sent troops into into Lebanon. Her Majesty's Government consider that it is primarily for the parties immediately concerned to decide whether to take action in the United Nations.

LORD JANNER

My Lords, would the noble Baroness make further inquiries about this matter? It was established in articles and newpapers of high standing in this country and elsewhere that troops from Syria went into the Lebanon. Has she made inquiries about this? If she does so, will she see to it that something is done at the United Nations and that people who enter a land in order to help those who are carrying on these vicious actions are condemned, and not the Israelis for example, who go there in order to suppress them for the protction of themselves and the rest of the world?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR or BELHELVIE

My Lords, the exact nature of the Syrian involvement in the recent events in the Lebanon is unclear. We have no evidence that any Syrian troops have entered Lebanon. It is possible that some fedayeen based in Syria have crossed the border. I understand that it is expected that the Security Council will probably be convened, either at the end of this month or in early June.

LORD HARVEY OF PRESTBURY

My Lords, as fighting has taken place almost daily outside the perimeter of Beirut Airport, will my noble friend give advice to British subjects who have to visit that area on business and for other purposes?

BARONESS TWEEDSMUIR OF BELHELVIE

My Lords, we have, happily, had no news of any casualties so far as any British subject is concerned. I understand that B.O.A.C. have re-routed their flights.