HC Deb 24 January 1949 vol 460 cc544-6
20. Mr. Blackburn

asked the Minister of Supply to what countries and in what quantities Spitfires have been exported since the end of the war.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

Since the end of the war, Spitfire aircraft have been supplied to the following countries:

Belgium, Burma, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Egypt, France, Greece, Holland, India, Italy, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden, and Turkey.

It would not be in the public interest to give particulars of the quantities.

Mr. Blackburn

In view of the fact that British Spitfires were recently shot down by Spitfires in the hands of the Israeli Government, can the Minister confirm that these Spitfires were supplied to the Israeli Government by the Czech Government with capital supplied by American Jews?

Mr. Strauss

No, Sir. I can confirm nothing of the sort.

Mr. Walter Fletcher

In making these contracts does the Minister introduce any clause about re-export, or the stopping of re-export to other countries?

Mr. Strauss

I would be grateful if the hon. Member would put that question down.

Mr. Fletcher

Surely that is a question which arises out of the reply.

Mr. Strauss

There are various conditions, but I would rather not commit myself exactly to the wording of conditions of that sort without proper notice.

Mr. Blackburn

In view of the statement by General Sir Frederick Morgan, which would lead to the conclusion I have indicated, can the Minister say how else the Israeli Government could have got the Spitfires?

Mr. Strauss

The hon. Member asked me whether I could confirm something which is outside the control of my Department or that of the Government. It is not possible for me either to confirm or to deny it.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why he is unable to give this House figures of the number of aircraft supplied? If the foreign country knows, why should not this House know?

Mr. Strauss

It is entirely contrary to Government policy to give particulars of details of any warlike materials supplied to other countries.

Mr. John Lewis

Is my right hon. Friend aware that whatever may have been the terms of the contract under which these goods, or any other armaments, were supplied, he cannot, by means of the terms of this contract, prevent the Arabs of Transjordan selling British arms to the Jews.

Mr. Molson

Are Spitfires amongst the goods which we are precluded from exporting to countries behind the iron curtain as a condition of receiving Marshall Aid?

Mr. Strauss

I have read out the countries to which the Spitfires have been directed, and they do not include any behind the iron curtain—[HON. MEMBERS: "Czechoslovakia."]—except Czechoslovakia where, according to an arrangement with the R.A.F., a number of Spitfires were delivered in 1946.

Mr. Osborne

That is where these came from.

21. Mr. Blackburn

asked the Minister of Supply what quantities of military aircraft are now being exported; and to what countries.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

I regret it would not be in the public interest to give this information.

Mr. Blackburn

While in no way trying to imply that these Spitfires were sold to Czechoslovakia after Czechoslovakia became a Soviet satellite, may I ask the Minister for a clear-cut assurance that we will provide no military aircraft either to the Soviet Union or to any Soviet satellite?

Mr. Strauss

I do not think that has anything to do with this Question, but no such sales are contemplated at all.

Colonel Sir Charles MacAndrew

Are any jet propelled aircraft being exported at all?

Mr. Strauss

No, Sir.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied about the export of aircraft generally; is he aware that I have information that the Israeli Government now have Meteor jet aircraft, and will he say whether or not that is so?

Mr. Strauss

Not as far as I am aware. Certainly, they have not come from this country.

Air-Commodore Harvey

France.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

How many of these Spitfires are guaranteed to bring down rockets? Are they not obsolete?