§ 31. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the levels of supply of arms to Middle East countries.
§ Lord BalnielI have nothing to add to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, North on 13th February.—[Vol. 850,c. 321.]
§ 32. Mr. Crawshawasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth 76W Affairs whether he is satisfied that the Tripartite Declaration of 1950 in respect of sale of arms to Middle East Countries is being observed by Kuwait in respect of British made Lightning fighters sold to them under the conditions of the Declaration.
§ Lord BalnielYes. Circumstances have changed in the Middle East since the Tripartite Declaration was signed in 1950. But Her Majesty's Government's policy, both on arms sales and on the promotion of peace, continues to be guided by the objectives of the declaration. We would not be prepared to supply military equipment likely in our judgement to increase the chances of a renewal of hostilities or impair their prospects for peace.