HC Deb 18 March 1981 vol 1 cc128-9W
23. Mr. Temple-Morris

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on recent discussions between the Foreign Secretary and the United States Secretary of State on the subject of Arab-Israeli relations.

29. Mr. Cunliffe

asked the Lord Privy Seal 'what matters relating to the Middle East were discussed at the recent meeting between General Haig, United States Secretary of State, and the Foreign Secretary.

Mr. Hurd

My right hon. and noble Friend had a useful discussion of this subject with the United States Secretary of State during his recent visit to Washington with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister. The United States and Europe agree that the main objective remains a comprehensive peace settlement and that United States and European efforts in this direction should complement each other.

27. Mr. Lawrence

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, following the discussions of the Foreign Secretary with the new Administration in the United States of America, any new guarantees of security to Israel are proposed which would facilitate a settlement in the Middle East.

Mr. Hurd

No. The Venice declaration records the Nine's readiness to participate, within the framework of a comprehensive settlement, in a system of concrete and binding international guarantees, including on the ground.