§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what matters were discussed with the Director General of Foreign Affairs from Israel during his recent visit; whether the United Kingdom's arms ban on Israel was raised; if he gave the Government of Israel some encouragement that supplies would be resumed; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LuceThe Director-General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs had meetings with myself and the permanent under-secretary, Sir Antony Acland. Most of the discussions were taken up with a review of the situation in the Middle East, with particular reference to Lebanon, the Arab-Israel dispute and the Iran-Iraq war. A number of bilateral issues were also discussed, including restrictions on the export of British defence equipment to Israel. We keep these restrictions, which were imposed in June 1982 following the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, under review.