§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards the establishment of an Arab security force in the Gulf.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe Gulf Co-operation Council, Egypt and Syria are developing regional security proposals based on the Damascus declaration. GCC countries have agreed in principle to establish a common deterrent force. We have said that we will help to underpin regionally agreed arrangements, if asked, but do not envisage troops in the region permanently.