Middle East

HC Deb 22 February 1984 vol 54 cc555-6W

18. Mr. Ernie Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government will take steps to promote a new peace initiative in the middle east, taking into account the Fez, French-Egyptian and United States proposals.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

It must be for the parties themselves to make the running in the search for a peaceful settlement. They will need to go beyond statements of principle and reach agreement on practical steps if the present stalemate is to be broken. We shall go on doing everything we can to encourage this process.

27. Mr. Hicks

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he intends taking any initiatives aimed at reducing tension in the middle east; and if he will make a statement.

48. Mr. Temple-Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress being made towards peace in the middle east.

55. Mr. Walters

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the current position in the middle east.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

We are dismayed at the lack of progress towards negotiated solutions to the problems of the middle east. On Lebanon, we have put forward a number of ideas at the United Nations for practical steps which could be taken quickly without the need for a new Security Council resolution. We are also determined to do all we can to help break the deadlock in the Arab-Israel peace process, and to bring the Iran-Iraq war to the earliest possible end.

52. Sir John Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about British interests in the middle east.

Sir Geoffrey Howe

We have major commercial and political interests in the middle east and close ties with many of the countries there. We are deeply concerned at the threats to peace and security in the region. We support all constructive efforts to bring the Iran-Iraq war to an early end and to make progress towards a negotiated settlement of the Arab-Israel dispute. We are committed to the restoration of stability, sovereignty and independence to Lebanon and are in close touch with a number of other interested parties to this end.