§ Mr. Lathamasked the Prime Minister whether, pursuant to her reply to the hon. Member for Melton on 23 July regarding ministerial visits to Israel and other Middle Eastern countries, she is satisfied that a fair and reasonable balance has been achieved; and why Foreign Office Ministers have made 18 visits to other Middle Eastern countries but only one to Israel, that visit being in December 1979.
§ The Prime MinisterI am conscious of the need to maintain a balanced approach in the Middle East. But the pattern of overseas visits by Ministers reflects many different factors and cannot be used, particularly in the short term, as a guide to foreign policy views. We maintain friendly relations with 20 Arab countries as well as with Israel.