§ Mr. Moyle asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will list the steps taken to advance the European initiative on the Middle East and the Venice declaration by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs since he assumed Chairmanship of the EEC Council of Foreign Ministers in July.
§ Mr. Hurd:The Ten have, under the British Presidency, maintained and renewed their commitment to an active role in the search for Middle East peace on the basis of the principles set out on the Venice declaration. My right hon. and noble Friend and other Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers and officials, have maintained close and constant contact to this end with all the parties concerned, including the United States. My right hon. and noble Friend is visiting Saudi Arabia in early November on behalf of the Ten to discuss with the Saudi Government the principles for a settlement set out by Crown Prince Fahd in August, which we have welcomed as a constructive contribution to the search for Middle East peace.