British Labor Party leaders indicated today they intend to develop next Tuesday’s debate in the House of Commons on the Government’s White Paper on disposal of war surplus materiel into a wide ranging probe of Britain’s Middle East policies, particularly its handling of the Arab conflict.
The White Paper, scheduled to be issued before the end of the week, was approved by the Cabinet yesterday. The paper will report at length on the disposal of tanks and other war equipment, large quantities of which have been reaching Egypt through Belgium. The Eden Governments handling of the surplus tanks issue aroused a storm of protest in the country.
The Laborites are expected to press the government to make a new approach to the Soviet Union for an embargo on arms to the Middle East, or failing this, to see that Israel gets arms from the West to balance those of the Arab States.
Little hope, however, is held out that the debate will produce positive commitments from the Government. Both Sir Anthony Eden, the Prime Minister, and Selwyn Lloyd, the Foreign Minister, who will bear the brunt of the debate for the government, will leave immediately after the debate for talks in Washington. One of their major objectives is achievement of a common, Anglo-American policy on the Middle East. They are not likely to pledge themselves in advance to any particular course of action.
Eliahu Elath, the Israel Ambassador, will see Mr. Lloyd tomorrow at the Foreign Office by an appointment fixed at the Israeli’s request. “It is understood the meeting is in connection with the forthcoming Washington talks.
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