HC Deb 26 February 1968 vol 759 cc229-30W
60. Mr. Maudling

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the continuing obligations of Her Majesty's Government towards the protected States in the Persian Gulf now that the decision to withdraw forces from that area by the end of 1971 has been announced.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

Our obligations are to protect these States against external aggression. We are also responsible for the conduct of their international relations. The future of our treaties and agreements with the Protected States after the withdrawal of our forces is being discussed with the Governments concerned.

Mr. Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the result of his discussions on the continuance of British interests in the Persian Gulf area consequential on the withdrawal of British troops.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

The discussion of our future relationship with the States of the Persian Gulf will be a long and continuing process. It is too early to say when we shall be in a position to report results.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will lay a White Paper setting out Her Majesty's Government's existing treaty and other obligations for the defence and protection of Trucial and other Arab States, and the procedure whereby they may be altered or abrogated in accordance with the policy of withdrawal from the Persian Gulf.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

No. These Treaties and Agreements are to be found in the Library of the House; but for the convenience of hon. Members a list of the principal Treaties and Agreements with the Persian Gulf States is given below. Their future after the withdrawal of our forces is being discussed with the Governments concerned.

Treaties Relating to the Persian Gulf States

BAHRAIN

General Treaty for the cessation of plunder and piracy by land and sea (February 5, 1820).

(State Papers, Vol. 23, p. 1069, and Vol. 56, p. 1400; Aitchison, "Collection of Treaties, Engagements and Sanads Relating to India and Neighbouring Countries (1933), Vol. XI, p. 245).

Friendly Convention relating to aggression by sea, trade and jurisdiction over British subjects (31st May, 1861).

(State Papers, Vol. 56, p. 1402; Aitchison, op. cit., Vol. XI, p. 234).

First Exclusive Agreement of 22nd December, 1880.

(Aitchison, op. cit., Vol. XI, p. 237).

Second Exclusive Agreement of 13th March, 1892.

(Aitchison, op. cit., Vol. XI, p. 238).

QATAR

General Treaty of 3rd November, 1916.

(Aitchison, op. cit., Vol. XI, p. 258).

TRUCIAL STATES

General Treaty for the cessation of plunder and piracy by land and sea (8th January, 1820).

(State Papers, Vol. 23, p. 1069; Aitchison, op. cit., Vol. XI, p. 245).

Perpetual Maritime Truce (4th May, 1853).

(State Papers, Vol. 58, p. 311).

Exclusive Agreement (March 508, 1892).

(Aitchison, op. cit., Vol. XI, p. 256).

KUWAIT

Exchange of Notes of 19th June, 1961 regarding Relations between the United Kingdom and the State of Kuwait.

(Treaty Series No. 93 of 1961; Cmnd. 1518).

MUSCAT AND OMAN

Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation of 20th December, 1951.

(Treaty Series No. 44 of 1952; Cmnd. 8633).

Exchange of Letters concerning the Sultan's Armed Forces, Civil Aviation etc., of 25th July, 1958).

(Treaty Series No. 28 of 1958; Cmnd. 507).