§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he is taking to obtain arms control in the Middle East; and what further steps have been taken by Her Majesty's Government, through the United Nations or otherwise, to establish the recognition of Israel by the Arab States and guarantees that any new provision of arms to Egypt are not for the purposes of continuing aggression against the State of Israel.
§ Mr. William RodgersAs my right hon. Friend said in his speech on 21st June to the General Assembly, it is imperative to conclude an agreement on the limitation of arms supplies to the Middle East as soon as possible. Her Majesty's Government will continue to work for such an agreement as an essential part of any Middle East settlement. We believe that the Soviet Government's motives in rearming Egypt are at this stage more likely to be diplomatic than military.
As regards the recognition of Israel by the Arab states, my right hon. Friend said in the same speech that any settlement must recognise the right of all states in the area to exist in true dignity and real freedom.