§ 13. Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Lord Privy Seal if he has any plans to make a tour of the Middle East.
§ Mr. HurdMy right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and I have recently visited the area and my right hon. Friend hopes to do so in the near future.
§ 19. Mr. Waltersasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's attitude on progress towards peace in the Middle East.
§ Mr. HurdThe urgent need for further progress towards a comprehensive peace settlement has been underlined by recent events in the region. To this end we continue to support current negotiations between Israel and Egypt and will do all we can to help bring about wider negotiations between all the parties.
§ Mr. Les Huckfieldasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the United Kingdom Government's current attitude to the implementation of United Nations resolution 242, stating what changes have been made in British policy since the present Government took office.
§ Mr. HurdWe are committed to implementation of resolution 242, in all its parts and on all fronts, as the basis of a lasting Middle East peace. There has been no change in policy in this respect since the present Government took office. Like our predecessors, we believe that to the principles of Security Council resolution 242 should be added the need to take full account of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to a homeland.