MIDDLE EAST POLICY

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27912, 8 March 1956, Page 13

MIDDLE EAST POLICY

Crucial Debate In Commons

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

(Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, March 7. An urgent summons has been sent to all Government supporters to attend today’s House of Commons debate on the Middle East. The Conservative Party administration is not expecting the Opposition to force a vote on the Government’s Middle East policy, but it is taking no chances. Labour members have received the same urgent summons. The Prime Minister, Sir Anthony Eden, assailed over the Government’s handling of the Middle East situation by the Opposition, and criticised by some Conservatives, will make his policy statement late tonight.

He will wind up a debate on the crisis which has developed after the expulsion by Jordan of the British Commander of the Arab Legion, Glubb Pasha.

Indications early today were that the Government would survive any vote in the House, although some of the Conservative critics of the Government’s policy in the Middle East may abstain from voting. These critics asked the 1 rime Minister last night at a private meeting a series of sharp, frank questions about the situation in Jordan and other Middle East trouble spots. The Conservative critics, numbering about 30, advocate a stronger British approach in Middle Eastern affairs.

They came into being as a group to protest against the withdrawal from Suez.

Sir Anthony Eden’s statement to the House tonight is expected to be a major declaration of British policy in the area.

It will be based on three days of urgent top-level discussions with France and the United States, Britain’s partners in the 1950 Tripartite Declaration guaranteeing Middle East stability.

There have also been talks with Britain’s fellow members of the Bagdad Pact—Pakistan. Iraq, Turkey, and Persia.

One major question that the Prime Minister will be pressed to answer is whether Britain will continue to pay the £12,000.000 annual subsidy to Jordan to help l.er revenue and to aid the Arab Legion. Jordan’s slap to British prestige by dismissing the legion's British commander may affect Parliament's willingness to vote this money. However, diplomatic quarters said in advance of the debate, Britain still has to consider whether Communist or Egyptian neutralist elements would step in if British influence in the area were reduced.