§ Mr. Parryasked the Prime Minister (1) if she will make a statement on her recent meeting with the Prime Minister of Syria.
(2) if the question of human rights in Syria was discussed at her recent meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Syria.
§ The Prime MinisterI had a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Syria, Mr. Farouk al-Shara', on 3 March, at which we discussed the Arab-Israel problem and other regional issues as well as terrorism. I sought the continued help of the Syrian Government in securing the release of Mr. Alec Collett held hostage in the Lebanon.
Mr. Shara' also met my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs and was left in no doubt about the strong feelings in this country on the question of human rights in Syria.