53. Mr. Colin Jacksonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make another statement on British responsibilities in the area in the light of the formation of the Union of Arab Emirates.
§ Mr. M. Stewart:At present Britain has a defence commitment to the States which make up the Union and Her Majesty's Government are responsible for the conduct of their external affairs. However, these responsibilities will cease by the end of 1971, when the withdrawal of our military presence from the Gulf will have been completed. In the meantime it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to encourage the development of the Union, to promote stability and to help remove any causes of tension or friction in the area.