HC Deb 29 October 1990 vol 178 cc385-6W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all resolutions passed by the United Nations Security Council since 2 August on middle east affairs; which of these were initiated by the United Kingdom; and how the United Kingdom ambassador voted on each resolution.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The Security Council has passed 11 resolutions on the middle east since 2 August. The United Kingdom voted for them all, and was closely involved with each initiative, either as a permanent member of the Security Council or as president of the Security Council for the month of October.

Resolution No. Subject
SCR 660 (adopted 2 August) Condemned invasion and called for immediate and unconditional Iraqi withdrawal.
SCR 661 (6 August) Imposed sanctions.
SCR 662 (9 August) Decided annexation of Kuwait by Iraq null and void.
SCR 664 (18 August) Reaffirmed rights of third state nationals, including the right to leave.
SCR 665 (25 August) Authorised measures to halt shipping in order to inspect and verify cargoes.
SCR 666 (13 September) Established system to permit food imports to Iraq and Kuwait in humanitarian circumstances.
SCR 667 (16 September) Condemned Iraqi attacks against diplomatic premises and personnel.
SCR 669 (24 September) Called on Sanctions Committee to consider requests for economic assistance under Article 50 of UN Charter.
SCR 670 (25 September) Measures to tighten air embargo and detain or deny entry to Iraqi-registered ships.
SCR 672 (12 October) Condemning acts of violence by Israeli Security Forces at the Temple Mount on 8 October, calling on Israel to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention, and requesting the Secretary-General to report to the Council on the mission he had decided to send to the region.
SCR 673 (24 October) Calling on Israel to accept the Secretary-General's Mission.

Mr. Marlow

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards recognising the right of the Palestinian people to opt for a Palestinian state; and as to what extent this should depend on the agreement of the Israeli Government provided that in such negotiations Israel has been offered borders which Her Majesty's Government consider satisfy that country's reasonable demands for security.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

We have always supported the Palestinians' legitimate right to self-determination. We also support Israel's right to exist within secure borders. A settlement of the Palestinian problem should be on this basis. Whether it will include a Palestinian state is a matter for resolution between the parties.