§ 47. Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken during the recess to bring about an Israeli-Arab settlement in the Middle East.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsHer Majesty's Government have kept in close and constant touch with the Governments in the Middle East and with the many other Governments closely interested in the achievement of a settlement in the area. At the United Nations we have continued to urge the need for an early meeting of the Security Council to adopt a balanced resolution providing for the appointment of a United Nations representative. My right hon. Friend also had personal consultations in New York with the Secretary-General, with representatives of many other nations and with President Johnson in Washington. Lord Caradon is doing everything he can to encourage the efforts now being made to arrive at a reasonable and generally acceptable draft for the balanced resolution, which it is now widely agreed would provide the best hope for progress towards a settlement.
§ 48. Mr. Moonmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the present position of Her Majesty's Government's policy towards Israeli-Arab relations.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsHer Majesty's Government are continuing their efforts in the United Nations to arrange an early meeting of the Security Council with a view to the adoption of a balanced resolution which could provide guidance for the efforts of a United Nations representative in working with the parties concerned towards a reasonable and durable Middle East settlement. Provision for the appointment of such a representative should, in Her Majesty's Government's view, be an essential part of any resolution passed. The recent sinking of the Israel destroyer "Elat" and the subsequent shelling of Egyptian installations at Suez have underlined the dangers of letting matters rest as they are and Her Majesty's Government see no realistic536W possibility of progress towards a settlement except in the United Nations forum and through the use of Security Council machinery.
§ 50. Mr. Weitzmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the actions of the Egyptians in firing guided missiles at an Israeli ship, he will now break off the negotiations with Egypt in which he is at present engaged.
§ 51. Mr. Sydney Silvermanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the action of the Egyptian Navy in its attack on an Israeli ship, he will suspend his negotiations with Egypt.
§ 52. Sir B. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the breaches by Egypt of the cease-fire agreement, and in particular the sinking by her of an Israeli ship, he will discontinue the present negotiations with Egypt.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsNo.
§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the sinking of the Israeli destroyer, "Eilat" by the Egyptian navy in breach of the cease fire agreement, the continued closure of the Suez Canal and the holding of British ships, the refusal by Egypt to recognise Israel and the present state of re-equipment of Egyptian forces aided by Russia, he will give an assurance that it is now the policy of Her Majesty's Government to grant recognition to the territorial gains of Israel, and that any negotiations with Egypt can only be continued if Israel is recognised, its security upheld and the Suez Canal opened.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsThe answer to both parts of the hon. Member's Question is "No".