HC Deb 11 March 1949 vol 462 cc1597-8

11.6 a.m.

Mr. Oliver Stanley (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the reported movement of Israeli troops towards Aqaba.

The Minister of State (Mr. McNeil)

Reports have been received from the Transjordan authorities of the movement of a considerable force of Israeli troops southwards towards the Gulf of Aqaba, which they are now reported to have reached. The Transjordan Government also report that at one point the Israeli forces entered Transjordan territory to a distance of some miles and attacked a police post. They subsequently withdrew. The situation has been urgently reported to the Acting Mediator by the Transjordan Government. It is not yet known what reports United Nations observers have made on these events. No British forces have been involved in any action. My right hon. Friend would prefer not to make any further statement until reports by United Nations observers are available.

Mr. Stanley

While not wishing in any way to press the right hon. Gentleman at this moment, there are two questions I would like to ask him. First, in view of the possible special responsibility that we may have in the adjacent area, will his right hon. Friend impress upon the mediator the urgent necessity for getting these reports from the observers as soon as possible and for their immediate communication to us as well as to other member nations? Secondly, is it not a fact that talks are now proceeding between the Israeli Government and the Government of Transjordania with regard to an armistice, and are not military operations of this kind in the middle of such talks calculated to prevent the success of the armistice which we all desire?

Mr. McNeil

Certainly my right hon. Friend will be glad to impress still further upon the Acting Mediator the necessity for speedy reporting. I am not clear that we can ask for a copy of the reports except as members of the Security Council. As to the second part of the question, it is true that truce talks have been going on at Rhodes between the two parties, and it is very difficult to relate these two events, if these reports which have been made to us are unfortunately found to be true.

Viscount Hinchingbrooke

In view of newspaper reports stating that the Israeli forces are now only three miles from Aqaba, and in the unfortunate event of a direct threat arising to our own Forces at Aqaba, can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the commander of our garrison at Aqaba has the fullest facilities to call upon air support from Headquarters, Middle East?

Mr. McNeil

Our Forces at Aqaba have every support available. I should think that it would not be anticipated that a call would be made upon such support except in the event of a direct threat to our Forces which, of course, we all hope will not occur.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

In the event of this air support being given, will steps be taken to safeguard the civilian noncombatant population?

Mr. McNeil

I should think that the civilian non-combatant population in this area is very sparse indeed.

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