§ 29. Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he plans to visit the Middle East in the near future; and which countries he plans to visit.
§ Mr. HurdMy right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to visit the Middle East. He hopes to visit Syria and Jordan and the Gulf as soon as circumstances permit.
§ 30. Mr. Waltersasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress towards peace in the Middle East.
§ Mr. HurdThe first objective must be to restore the ceasefire in Lebanon. We fully support United States and United Nations efforts to that end. Thereafter there is a need to find a solution to the Palestinian problem. Without this there can be no lasting peace settlement in the Middle East. The Ten remain ready to play their part in achieving such a settlement on the basis of the Venice principles.
§ 14. Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress of Her Majesty's Government policies towards a peaceful settlement in the Middle East.
§ Mr. HurdEvents in Lebanon show clearly the need for a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East. In the Government's view this will have to be based on the principle that Israel and the Palestinians accept each others rights. The Palestinians will not gain their objectives through violence, nor will the Israelis destroy the142W Palestinian cause by military action. We will do anything we can to help all those concerned to find a basis on which they can negotiate.