HC Deb 10 March 1949 vol 462 cc1371-2
13. Dr. Segal

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations which of the Dominions were notified of our intention to land a task force at Aqaba; and how many were invited to participate.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom informed other Commonwealth Governments of their decision to send a force to Aqaba, and told them that this was being done in response to a request from the Transjordan Government, made under the terms of our treaty with them. As other Commonwealth Governments are not parties to this treaty, no question of inviting them to participate arose.

Dr. Segal

Since we were glad of the support of all the older Dominions in this area during the war, ought we not to take heed of their advice in this matter; and does my hon. Friend realise that any isolated military action of our own in this area now is not likely either to protect this puppet State of Transjordan or intimidate anyone else?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Of course, if the Commonwealth Governments give us advice, we shall very gladly listen to them. We have informed them, but have received no advice from them. I am sure that the hon. Member would desire, as would everybody else, that an ally should be protected against aggression if it occurs under the terms of the treaty.

Earl Winterton

Is not the point perfectly clear that all we have to do is to carry out our treaty obligations, and will the right hon. Gentleman make it perfectly plain that we intend to carry them out whatever may be the opposition of those who have racial affiliations with Israel?

Mr. Noel-Baker

These are really questions for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary, but I think it is quite plain that His Majesty's Government desire and intend to carry out their treaty obligations.

Mr. John Lewis

On a point of Order. An hon. Member just raised a question in this House regarding what he thought was in the best interests of the House and a matter which should be brought to its notice. Was the noble Lord in Order, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, in referring to the fact that the purpose for which my hon. Friend put his question was to further racial associations with another country?

Earl Winterton

I said nothing of the sort. What I said was, will the right hon. Gentleman carry out our treaty obligations quite irrespective of any opposition from those who had racial affiliations with Israel? I persist in it.

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

I do not think a point of Order arises here.

Captain Crookshank

Can the Minister make any statement on the present situation there in view of the rather alarming statements in some newspapers today?

Mr. Noel-Baker

No, Sir, I had better not do that; I think that is a matter which should be left to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

Captain Crookshank

Will a statement be made shortly?

Mr. Noel-Baker

I have no notice of it

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

Further to the point of Order raised by the hon. Member—

Mr. Deputy-Speaker

I have ruled that, in my view, no point of Order arises.