§ 60. Mr. Shinwellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the policy of Her Majesty's Government in the Middle East, in view of Egyptian-Syrian integration and the prospect of other Arab countries taking similar action; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure the maintenance of peace in that area and the territorial integrity of the State of Israel.
§ Commander NobleAs regards the first part of the Question, I can add nothing for the moment to my reply to the right hon. and learned Member for Rowley Regis and Tipton (Mr. A. Henderson).
46WHer Majesty's Government see no immediate reason to believe that union between Syria and Egypt will necessarily increase the military capacity of the two countries. Nor, on the other hand, do we see any reason to doubt recent assertions by prominent Israeli personalities of Israel's confidence in her ability to defend herself against any one Arab State or a combination of Arab States.