I received a letter from the Minister this morning stating that at Question Time today he would deal with a letter and a copy of an interview attributed to Yasser Arafat given the day after the Minister made his statement. I should like to know if the Minister will deal with one aspect of that interview. In the final part of that interview Mr. Arafat is alleged to have referred to some Arab leaders who were seeking a peaceful solution to the Middle East problem and to have said that, if they achieved it, he and the PLO would oppose it. Would the Minister care to comment on that?

That was an unsigned statement from a Venezuelan source. My information is that it is a fabrication.

In view of the totally unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply and obvious lack of knowledge of the subject, I should like to give notice of my intention to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

I will communicate with the Deputy.