§ Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the conditions precedent to Her Majesty's Government being prepared to hold talks at ministerial level with the Palestine Liberation Organisation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMeetings with PLO officials have been held at the level of Minister of State without formal preconditions. Contacts with the PLO at Cabinet minister level remain difficult while the PLO's policies remain ambiguous on Israel's right to exist within secure and recognised boundaries and on the use of violence.