§ 11. Mr. Mikardoasked the Lord Privy Seal what subjects the Foreign Secretary discussed with Arab leaders during his recent visit to the Middle East; and what was the outcome of these discussions.
§ 16. Mr. Woodallasked the Lord Privy Seal what subjects the Foreign Secretary discussed with President Sadat during his recent visit to Egypt; and what was the outcome of the discussions.
§ Mr. HurdMy right hon. and noble Friend met King Hassan in Morocco and President Sadat in Egypt. They discussed bilateral relations and international issues, including the Arab/Israel dispute. My right hon. and noble Friend naturally explained the views of the ten and their efforts to contribute to a comprehensive peace.
§ 12. Mr. Edward Lyonsasked the Lord Privy Seal what progress has been made, and in what context, in the discussions between the European Economic Community President and Middle East countries involved in the Arab-Israel dispute.
§ Sir Ian GilmourFollowing the valuable consultations which Mr. Thorn had with all the parties concerned last summer, useful work has been done, in the framework of political co-operation, to clarify the practical implications of the principles of the Venice Declaration. Further contacts with all the parties will now be pursued by the166W Dutch President of the Council of Ministers. The Ten will continue their efforts to contribute to a peace settlement with vigour and determination.
§ 17. Mr. Frank R. Whiteasked the Lord Privy Seal whether the meeting between Sir John Graham, the offical of his Department responsible for Middle East affairs, and Yasser Arafat in Beirut on 2 December was authorised by him; what subjects were discussed; and what was the outcome of the meeting.
§ 18. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Lord Privy Seal what contacts have recently been made with the leaders of the Palestine Liberation Organisation.
§ Mr. HurdI refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier this afternoon to the hon. Member for East Kilbride (Dr. Miller).
§ 22. Mr. David Watkinsasked the Lord Privy Seal what consultations he is having or proposing to have with the United States Secretary of State about a peace settlement in the Middle East.
§ Mr. HurdMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and my right hon. and noble Friend will be visiting the United States from the 26 to the 28 of February for talks with the new Administration on a wide range of issues, including the Middle East.
§ 24. Mr. Archerasked the Lord Privy Seal what recent discussions he has had with other EEC Ministers about the situation in the Middle East.
§ Mr. HurdThe Heads of State and Government of the Nine discussed the Middle East at their meeting in Luxembourg on 2 December and issued a statement. The question of how this statement should be followed up by the president of the Council of Ministers was discussed by my right hon. and noble Friend with his European colleagues when they met in Brussels yesterday.