It is proposed to take Nos. 1 and 2.
Order of Business.
When we last met a number of Senators from this side of the House, from my party, from the Labour Party and some university Senators, sought a debate urgently on No. 17 regarding the Government's foreign policy in the light of recent events in Iran and Afghanistan and I had thought from the tone of the leader of the House on that occasion that he was receptive to the view that a debate should take place and should take place fairly urgently. I would like to ask what the position is about the proposal to have a debate on that motion.
I would like to support what Senator Staunton has said. The Leader of the House used the phrase "the near future" on that occasion, so, perhaps, he would like to define that.
I did discuss that matter with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the position is that either today or some day this week the EEC Committee of Foreign Ministers will discuss that subject and decide what attitude they will adopt in regard to Afghanistan. He said he was quite prepared to come in and to take part in a debate on that motion but not until the EEC have adopted a view about it. That will be adopted, I imagine, this week and I think he will be quite willing to come in within the next week or two.
That seems reasonable if we have an assurance that that debate will take place next week, if at all possible, if the Minister is in the country.
Soon, anyhow.
Order of Business agreed to.