HC Deb 24 February 1948 vol 447 cc1779-82
Mr. Eden

(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Defence whether he will inform the House what action has been taken with regard to British Service personnel in Palestine, in view of threats openly expressed against them.

The Minister of Defence (Mr. A. V. Alexander)

Immediate responsibility for the protection of the lives of British Service personnel in Palestine rests with the local commanding officers. His Majesty's Government have no doubt that, in the heightened tension in that country, the officers concerned will have taken, and are taking, all appropriate measures to this end, consistent with their obligation to assist the civil authorities in the maintenance of law and order. The Government have complete confidence in the officers responsible on the spot and I can assure them and the House that they may rely on the support of the home Government in any further steps that appear necessary. I wish to repudiate entirely the unfounded aspersions upon our British Forces in relation to the outrage in Jerusalem on Sunday. The patience and forbearance displayed in face of murderous attacks and the courage shown in defending both Jews and Arabs have been exemplary and worthy of our highest admiration.

Mr. Eden

While we associate ourselves with everything which the right hon. Gentleman has said about the troops and the officers, may we take it from that answer, that in regard to any steps that the local authorities think it necessary to take—for instance, the placing of the Army on a war-time footing so that casualties do not occur in the way they recently occurred—local commanders are free to take those steps.

Mr. Alexander

They have our full support.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

May I ask whether the Government, in view of this recent outrage, following as it does so many others, have made any change in their general plans in order to avoid a repetition in the coming weeks of anything so dreadful?

Mr. Gallacher

May I ask the Minister of Defence the same question that I asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies? Will he, in view of the situation, see that hospital cases are taken out of Palestine? Cannot he understand what a terrible thing it is for the mothers of these lads if their lads are in hospital? It is had enough when they are strong and healthy.

Mr. Alexander

No such action as the hon. Member suggests would, apparently, have saved the lives of the two men just wounded and undergoing immediate treatment when they were foully murdered. We shall, of course, take all possible steps to bring home the men who are in hospital as soon as they are fit to be moved.

Sir G. Jeffreys

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the hospitals are properly guarded by British troops and armed police, and whether it will be possible on another occasion for murderers to enter another hospital and brutally murder men in bed?

Mr. Alexander

I should say that this was something which occurred very suddenly in that particular area. I must leave steps of that kind with the greatest confidence in the hands of the very efficient Commander-in-Chief.

Sir R. Glyn

May I ask whether, in regard to Jerusalem and that particular district, any restrictions have been placed on local commanders in regard to the imposition of martial law?

Mr. Alexander

I would like to have notice of that question.

Major Legge-Bourke

Would not the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of evacuating all hospital patients into the Canal Zone and asking the Egyptian Government if they would help?

Mr. Alexander

I am sure that every possible step is being taken to evacuate hospital cases as early as possible but, of course, we cannot evacuate men who are not in a fit condition to be moved.

Squadron-Leader Fleming

Is it not a fact that the local Commander-in-Chief in Palestine has no authority himself to declare martial law without the consent of the Palestinian Government and, if he had, if martial law were declared, does the right hon. Gentleman consider that there are sufficient troops and police in that country to maintain martial law?

Mr. Alexander

Certainly.

Earl Winterton

When will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to answer the question which is repeatedly put to him: Has the local Commander-in-Chief, or has he not, full permission to declare martial law, that is to say, to shoot at sight these murderous ruffians who are murdering our people?

Mr. Alexander

I am sure that the powers which, of course, rest with the Palestinian Government and the High Commissioner, would be put into operation at any time it was really necessary. I am also sure that if the Commander-in-Chief was not satisfied on the point, he would make it known.

Mr. Henderson Stewart

In view of the questions which have been put in the last 10 minutes, and the obvious anxiety which everyone feels, would not the right hon. Gentleman consider the issue by the Government of a statement, perhaps next week, indicating what major changes in policy, which obviously everyone desires, are likely to be made?

Mr. Alexander

I am not quite sure what the hon. Gentleman covers by the word "policy." If he is addressing to me a question with regard to the policy of evacuation and dates, I do not see any possibility of altering the policy already announced.