My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have received representations on this subject from a number of quarters. We have undertaken to inquire into the position, and the inquiries are still continuing.

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Earl for his Answer. But is he aware that Jews in that country are not allowed to leave even if they hold a foreign passport; that they are not allowed to travel more than three miles from their home; and that they are even prohibited from serving in the public sector in Syria, so that life for them is very intolerable indeed? Whatever action Her Majesty's Government could take to help alleviate this situation would be greatly appreciated.

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for drawing this matter to my attention. He will be aware that at the moment we have no diplomatic representation in Syria, and we have no information that British subjects are involved.

My Lords, having regard to what the noble Earl has just said, may I ask him whether the Government would be prepared to put the facts as they know them—and they are in possession of certain facts with regard to the ill-treatment, cruelty and torture that is being meted out to Syrian Jews—to our representative at the United Nations, in the hope that he may have a word with the representative of the Syrian Government at the United Nations?

My Lords, the noble Lord will appreciate that what is done with the facts which are at the Government's disposal will depend on the facts which emerges from their inquiries.

My Lords, can the Government direct their energies through other channels by which we may have indirect representation to get the Syrians to agree that those who wish to leave the country should be allowed the right to do so? Secondly, could this action be taken with the minimum of publicity, since headlines on this matter have been known in the past to do an enormous amount of harm?

My Lords, we really should wait to find out the result of these inquiries, because until one knows what the problems are, it is difficult to say what action, if any, should be taken.

My Lords, will the noble Earl give the House an assurance that after having examined the facts he will report to us the findings of the Government?

My Lords, if the noble Lord would care to put down another Question later on, I will do my best to see that it is answered.

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether, if the facts do disclose what many of us believe to be happening to Jews in Syria, he will ask his right honourable friend to instruct our representative at the United Nations to take some action?

My Lords, I really think that we should wait to find out what the facts are before committing the Government in any way.