§ Mr. Maurice Macmillanasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he intends to hold consultations with the other member Governments of the Central Treaty Organisation in the near future concerning the current instability in the Middle East; if he has received any communication from the Iranian Government about their future relationship with the Central Treaty Organisation; and in which Central Treaty Organisation operations Great Britain will participate in the current year.
§ Mr. MulleyThe Governments of Iran and Pakistan have announced their decision to withdraw from CENTO. The programme of military exercises and conferences planned for this year will not, therefore, take place. We shall need to316W consider with our allies how we might continue to contribute to the stability of the region.