HC Deb 11 May 1948 vol 450 cc1940-2
17. Mr. Turton

asked the Secretary of State for War what orders were issued to the British troops in Haifa regarding the organisation and protection of refugees; and what casualties were suffered by British troops in carrying out these duties.

Mr. Shinwell

No detailed orders were issued regarding the organisation and protection of refugees. All possible assistance was, however, given to the civil population by our troops while carrying out their normal duties in the maintenance of law and order. Refugees were moved by local commanders to safe areas and help was given in the evacuation of casualties. Three British officers were wounded in carrying out these duties.

Mr. Turton

Will the Minister clarify that answer? Were orders issued that weapons could be used to prevent the massacre of refugees, or that they were only to be used when British troops were attacked?

Mr. Shinwell

I am afraid I could not go into such minute details—

Hon. Members

Oh.

Mr. Shinwell

I could not go into such minute details because these are matters which are not conveyed to us unless we ask for detailed information. If the hon. Member wishes for further information, I will try to obtain it for him.

Mr. Turton

It is a most important matter whether British troops are allowed to use their weapons to prevent murder being committed in Palestine or have to wait until some of them are murdered before they use their weapons?

Mr. Shinwell

It is obvious that British troops have to protect themselves, and therefore have to use their weapons if they are attacked, or if they anticipate an attack. As I have said in my reply, no detailed orders were issued. That is a matter which is left to the discretion of the commander on the spot.

Major Guy Lloyd

Is it not a fact that the most solemn assurances were given to the Arab leaders in Haifa that Arab refugees would be protected by British troops from massacre, and those assurances were not in fact kept?

Mr. Shinwell

The word "massacre" is entirely irrelevant. There was no massacre, and that has been made quite clear in the statements which have been issued.

Mr. Seymour Cocks

Is it not a fact that the Arabs in Haifa attacked for five days before the Jews retaliated?

18. Mr. Turton

asked the Secretary of State for War why, on 22nd April, a British civilian officer of N.A.A.F.I. was stopped by British troops from entering Haifa, and handed over to the Hagannali for interrogation.

Mr. Shinwell

So far as I am aware, no such incident as suggested in the Question actually occurred.

Mr. Turton

Will the Minister find out from Palestine what actually occurred and what orders were given to allow a British civilian officer to be handed over by our troops to one side; and will he make it clear that such a practice would be quite wrong, in view of the impartial nature of our commitments in Palestine?

Mr. Shinwell

I am bound to say that as the Question was uninformed I do not feel disposed to embarrass our people on the spot by asking about a hypothetical case.

Mr. Turton

On a point of Order. Is it not a fact that an hon. Member is responsible for the facts in his Question, and that if I said that certain things happened on a certain day I hold myself responsible for those facts?

Mr. Shinwell

All I can say is that we have no information.

Mr. Turton

Will the Minister send out to Palestine to find out what are the facts?

Mr. Shinwell

May I suggest to the hon. Member that he might try to ascertain the true facts of the situation?