asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to make any statement as to the negotiations with King Hussein?

The negotiations with King Hussein still continue but have made little progress in recent months, and the position remains substantially as described by the late Prime Minister in his reply of the 2nd July to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn).

Does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate that there is any chance of getting these negotiations to a conclusion?

We have not forgotten them. We are always pressing them, but the circumstances are a little difficult. I had them under review only the other day.