§ 118. Mr. J. B. Hyndasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement concerning Her Majesty's Government's policy with regard to the continuation of the British Treaty with Jordan; and, in particular, whether it is proposed to continue the present subsidy to Jordan and to maintain British forces in that country.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreOn 16th January the Jordan Government were informed that Her Majesty's Government were willing, in accordance with the wishes of the Jordan Government, to enter into immediate discussions with a view to the termination of the Anglo-Jordan Treaty in an agreed manner.
Her Majesty's Government have since noted that, by an agreement signed in Cairo on 19th January, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria have agreed to provide 56W Jordan with financial assistance over the next ten years. It therefore appears that the way is now open for immediate discussions between Her Majesty's Government and the Jordan Government.
The future of the British subsidy to Jordan and of British forces there will naturally be among the main subjects to be discussed. I should therefore prefer to make no further statement at present.