§ 69. Mr. Archerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will initiate discussions in the United Nations Organisation, with a view to the acquisition by the United Nations of the Sinai Peninsula as an assembly point and first base for a permanent United Nations World Constabulary and a laboratory for large-scale irrigation of arid zones through desalination of sea-water, and a permanent settlement area for refugees.
§ Mr. Goronwy Roberts:No. My right hon. Friend has very much in mind the desirability of forthright measures to tackle the refugee problem in the Middle East. As he made clear in his speech in the debate on 6th July, he is intensely conscious of the human problems involved but believes that this and the other points raised by my hon. Friend can now best be considered as part of a general political settlement in the area. The United Nations Special Representative has now started his work in the Middle East. We consider that his mission represents the best chance of real progress towards such a settlement and we do not wish at this juncture to take any initiatives which might prejudice or prejudge his work.—[Vol. 749, c. 2123.]