§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Minister of Overseas Development whether he will propose at the United Nations an international programme including the participation of Israel and the Arab countries, for irrigation and afforestation of undeveloped areas in the Middle East.
§ Mr. BottomleyI agree with my hon. Friend about the importance of irrigation and afforestation for the development of the Middle East, and it is indeed already recognised in the programmes of capital aid and technical assistance which my Ministry is providing with and through the advisory services of our Middle East Development Division. But consideration of any new international programme for these purposes would clearly have to depend upon a political settlement in the area.