§ 46. Major Beamishasked the Minister of Defence whether he has now completed his inquiries regarding the use by the Jews in operations against the Arabs in Palestine of one or more light aircraft; the source from which such aircraft were obtained; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Minister of Defence (Mr. Alexander)It has not been possible to establish the identity or the origin of the aircraft to which I referred in my reply to the hon. and gallant Gentleman's Question on 7th April. As he is no doubt aware, a light aircraft of a type similar to the Auster was shot down by British forces near Kefar Etzion on 12th April.
§ Major BeamishDoes it follow from the Minister's reply that he agrees that it was a mistake that these Auster aircraft were sold to either faction in Palestine, and is it a mistake that will not be repeated in the future?
§ Mr. AlexanderI have already told the hon. and gallant Member that an order has gone out that no more planes should be sold, and that has been carried out for the last three months.