HC Deb 06 April 1949 vol 463 cc2040-1
35. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has given to the representations from the Israeli Government about the presence of His Majesty's Forces in Transjordan.

Mr. Mayhew

The text of the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for West Leicester (Mr. Janner) on this subjest on 28th March has been communicated both to the Acting Israeli Representative in London and to the Israeli Representative at the United Nations, in reply to their representations.

Sir T. Moore

The hon. Gentleman has not read my Question. I asked what reply he had given. No reply has been given to me.

Mr. Mayhew

The hon. and gallant Member asked what reply has been given to the representations from the Israeli Government. The reply we gave was the text of the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for West Leicester.

Sir T. Moore

I have not got that reply. I want a reply.

38. Mr. Piratin

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what date the Transjordan Government made the request that British troops shall patrol the frontier of Transjordan from Aqaba to the Dead Sea; on what date he replied; and what the reply was.

Mr. Mayhew

The request from the Transjordan Government that the British Force at Aqaba should send patrols along the Western frontier of Transjordan from Aqaba to Gharandal was transmitted by His Majesty's Legation on 17th March. Since an armistice between Transjordan and Israel has been concluded the question no longer arises, and no reply has been given.

39. Mr. Warbey

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent the size of the British Forces in Aqaba will be reduced in consequence of the conclusion of Israel-Transjordan armistice agreement.

Mr. Mayhew

The full text of the armistice agreement is not yet available. I am not in a position to make any statement.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

As Aqaba is now assuming considerable strategic importance will the Government negotiate with the Government of Transjordania, with a view to establishing it as a permanent base?

Mr. Mayhew

That is quite another question.

Mr. Piratin

In view of the agreement reached between Israel and Transjordan is it now the intention of His Majesty's Government to withdraw our Forces from Aqaba?

Mr. Mayhew

We have not yet seen the text of the agreement.