§ Mr. Crawshawasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the present position in the negotiations between Lebanon and Syria towards a peaceful settlement in the Middle East.
§ Mr. HurdFormal negotiations between Lebanon and Syria over the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon are not taking place. There are, however, high level contacts between the two Governments. We hope that these contacts and the negotiations taking place between Israel and Lebanon will result in the early withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon.
§ Mr. Crawshawasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action Her Majesty's Government are taking to counter the threat to stability in the Middle East and a possible threat to Western oil supplies by the continuing build-up of Soviet arms in Iraq.
§ Mr. HurdIraq receives arms supplies from a number of countries for use in the war with Iran. We have consistently supported attempts by the United Nations and others to secure an end to this conflict and we shall continue to support all efforts aimed at a just and honourable settlement.