HC Deb 17 November 1948 vol 458 cc346-7
16. Major Tufton Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make inquiries as to what facts were put before the inquiry ordered by the United Nations into the shooting-down by a fighter aeroplane, on 23rd September, 1948, of a civilian aircraft over Syria, resulting in the deaths of two British subjects; what conclusions were reached; what further action he proposes to take; and if he will make a full statement on the matter.

29. Mr. Erroll

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what protests he has lodged with the Israeli Government about the killing of the British citizens, David Woodford and John Nixon, shot down over Israeli territory when flying as passengers in a clearly-marked unarmed civil aircraft.

Mr. Mayhew

The incident, as a result of which two British subjects, Mr. Woodford and Mr. Nixon, lost their lives when an Arab Airways aircraft in which they were travelling was attacked and shot down by a Jewish fighter, is still under investigation by the United Nations Truce Committee. The Committee's findings have not yet been published but are expected to be made known in the near future. Until their appearance it is impossible to say what facts have been placed before the Committee or what conclusions they have reached.

Mr. Erroll

If the position had been reversed, and it had been an Arab aircraft which had shot down a passenger aircraft, would His Majesty's Government have been so dilatory?

Mr. Mayhew

We are not being dilatory; we are merely being fair in awaiting the report.

Dr. Segal

In view of the fact that Question No. 16 refers to an aeroplane shot down over Syrian territory and Question No. 29 refers to an aeroplane shot down over Israeli territory, how can both these Questions refer to the same aeroplane, and would my hon. Friend assist the two hon. Members to settle this point of difference between themselves?

Mr. Mayhew

I imagine that any difference in view as to where this aeroplane was shot down will be reconciled in the report which we are awaiting.

Major Beamish

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the Jewish authorities had made any offer of compensation to the dependants who lost their lives in this case?

Mr. Mayhew

I know of no offer, but I think that we should not put in a claim until we have seen the report.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Is it not possible for an aeroplane to be hit over one territory and land in another?