§ Mr. Marlowasked the Lord Privy Seal what effect the current conflict in the Lebanon will have on the European peace initiative.
§ Mr. HurdConflict and continuing tension in the Lebanon inevitably complicate the search for an Arab-Israel peace settlement. They also underline the urgency of this search. We shall continue our efforts to bring about progress towards the sort of comprehensive settlement which can help to solve Lebanon's problems also.
§ Mr. Marlowasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will take further initiatives through the United Nations to prevent Israeli aggression against the Lebanon and the construction of further settlements on the West Bank.
§ Mr. HurdThe British Government remain prepared to support effective and timely action in the United Nations but are not proposing any initiative at this time. The Security council has with our support made its views clear on both these subjects. It did so most recently in the statement on South Lebanon by the President of the Council on 20 March and in resolution 465 of 1 March 1980, which called on Israel to holt the expansion of settlements in the occupied territories and to dismantle existing settlemants.