asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the official visit of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to the Middle East, he will make a statement on the present situation on the Israel-Jordan frontier.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations is now visiting the area and I do not think it would be helpful to make any detailed statement at the moment. I am sure both sides of the House will wish Mr. Hammarskjöld well in his task of conciliation.

In view of the reliance that is placed on the presence of United Nations Forces as a means of reducing tension, may I ask whether, in view of the increased tension on the Syria-Israel border and the Jordan-Israel border, it would be advisable, in view of the weakness of the present forces, to seek to strengthen them in the hope of removing the tension?

I am sure that the Secretary-General will have that matter in mind. In the case of the Israel-Jordan dispute the important thing is to try to strengthen the U.N.T.S.O., which is the supervisory organisation. I am certain that would contribute to a reduction of tension.