HC Deb 16 December 1948 vol 459 cc1387-9
Air-Commodore Harvey (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for Air, if he will make a statement regarding the R.A.F. Mosquito aircraft which is missing from a flight in the Eastern Mediterranean area on 20th November, 1948.

The Secretary of State for Air (Mr. Arthur Henderson)

As a result of two Israeli broadcasts and one Israeli Press report, it is believed that a R.A.F. Mosquito from Middle East Command which has been reported missing has been shot down by an Israeli fighter. The matter is being taken up by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs with the United Nations Mediator. I should like to express my sympathy with the relatives of the two members of the crew.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Will the Secretary of State for Air tell the House what the flight plan of this aircraft was that is, where it should have been at the time of the accident; and will he give an assurance to the House that the Government will pursue this matter with the utmost vigour to bring about satisfaction from whoever may be to blame.

Mr. Henderson

All I can say is that all the Mosquitos in Middle East Command are photographic reconnaissance machines, unarmed, of course. This Mosquito was one of these. It was on a training flight. As regards the last part of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's question, I think we can take it that the Foreign Secretary will do his best to establish the facts of this matter.

Mr. Eden

Could the Secretary of State for Air tell us a little more about how this could have happened. Is he aware where this aeroplane was? Surely it could not have been on a photographic flight over an area where, to put it mildly, the international situation is extremely tense?

Mr. Henderson

I did not say it was on a photographic flight. I said it was on a training flight. Perhaps I can tell the House what we picked up from the Israeli broadcasts, that at noon on 20th November an Israeli fighter intercepted and brought down a Mosquito which had been flying over Israeli territory south of Tel Aviv at a height of 28,000 feet. The Mosquito fell into the sea and parts of the wreckage have been washed ashore.

Mr. Edgar Granville

Is there any record of wireless communication between this particular Mosquito and its base during the flight?

Mr. Henderson

No, Sir.

Mr. Churchill

Why is it necessary that one of our Mosquitos should undertake a training flight over this very dangerous and delicate area?

Mr. Henderson

I am afraid that I am not able to say why it should be necessary. All I can say is that in fact a crew had received orders to carry out the flight. I can only give the facts.

Mr. Churchill

I presume that His Majesty's Government intended to pursue this matter with the utmost rigour in order to ascertain whether cruel and outrageous measures were not taken against our aeroplane? Is not that so?

Mr. Henderson

Yes, Sir. I indicated that the Mediator had been asked to contact the Israeli Government, and I am quite prepared to indicate the sort of lines which we have asked him to take. If the Mediator can establish the interpretation of facts as we see them, he should make strong representations to the Jewish authorities.

Mr. Churchill

Is it not a very roundabout way to go through a mediator and so forth, from one to the other? If we had representation on the spot, should we not be able to put these matters more directly and even more sharply?

Mr. Henderson

That is a matter which should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

Mr. Platts-Mills

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman pursue with equal rigour—I think that was the word—the inquiry as to who ordered this training flight over this area, and will he see how nearly he can bring home this occurrence to the policy of my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary?

Air-Commodore Harvey

In the meantime, will the right hon. Gentleman issue instructions to all Air Force commands concerned that, in future, no aircraft are to fly in that area unless they are armed?

Mr. Henderson

I certainly will bear in mind what the hon, and gallant Gentleman has just said.

Mr. Gallacher

If the question should arise of compensation for those who lost their lives in this plane, how can the Government hold the Government of Israel responsible, unless His Majesty's Government recognise the Government of Israel?

Mr. Henderson

Perhaps my hon. Friend would put that question on the Paper.