Britain would welcome any sign from either the Arab states or Israel of a willingness to discuss a settlement of their conflict, Lord Swinton, Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, told the House of Lords tonight at the conclusion of a debate which followed presentation of the Queen’s message.
The government spokesman told the Lords that it was “impossible to revive” proposals for the internationalization of Jerusalem because both Israel and Jordan have utterly rejected them. He expressed the hope that there was a better chance for providing international control over the Holy Places. The first step in bettering the situation, he said, was to be found in an improved situation along the borders. He insisted that the Tripartite Declaration of 1950 was “very firm and far-reaching and should give a real sense of security.”
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