§ Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of discussion with the Rulers of the Trucial States.
§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has now been made with the setting up of a union of Arab emirates; what other forms of association between Gulf states are under consideration; and what new consideration has been given to mutual defence arrangements in the Gulf.
§ Mr. GodberDespite the efforts of the Gulf States themselves, the Governments of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and of Her Majesty's Government, the difference between the nine States of the Union of Arab Emirates have not yet been resolved. We are now considering the present situation with the States concerned. As regards defence arrangements, the offers set out in my right hon. Friend's statement of 1st March still stand.—[Vol. 812, c. 1227–32.]