HC Deb 20 June 1951 vol 489 cc515-6
49. Lieut.-Commander R. H. Thompson

asked the Minister of Defence if he is now in a position to make a statement on the appointment of a Supreme Commander in the Mediterranean.

Mr. Shinwell

No, Sir.

Lieut.-Commander Thompson

In view of the threatening situation in the Near and Middle East and the importance of our communications in the Mediterranean area, does the right hon. Gentleman hope to speed up these negotiations and obtain a settlement as soon as possible?

Mr. Shinwell

I am very conscious of the need for reaching a settlement on this very complicated question. We are doing all we can in that direction.

Mr. Churchill

Are not matters moving forward while the right hon. Gentleman is unable to reach any decision, or present any comprehensive decision to the House? Has he noticed the appointment of the American Admiral Carney—a man, I may say, of the very highest reputation and quality in every way—to the command of the right wing of the naval wing of General Eisenhower's Atlantic Forces drawn up on the Continent, and does he know that this command goes even into the Persian Gulf and possibly into the Indian Ocean?

Surely these are matters of great importance and it ought to be possible at least to keep the House informed on these matters of this serious and vital interest? May I say that I am in full sympathy, as I have said before, with the interests and intervention of the United States in the Mediterranean?

Mr. Shinwell

All that has been done so far—and I regret that no more has been done—is to complete the command organisation of General Eisenhower, the Supreme Commander in the West. The Northern flank has been fully organised in accordance with General Eisenhower's wishes and now the Southern flank has been completed. What remains to be done is to complete the command organisation in the Mediterranean. It is a very complicated question and many parties have to be consulted. We are pressing on with it and doing all we possibly can, but we cannot reach agreement unless other people agree with us.

Mr. Churchill

Has any further step been taken on the question of whether there should be a Supreme Commander for the Atlantic, or whether there should be—

Mr. Speaker

This Question deals with the Mediterranean, and not the Atlantic.

Mr. Churchill

With very great respect, and bowing humbly to your decision on the point of order, may I be permitted to submit to you that there is a certain strategic connection between the two ideas which comes outside the ordinary principles of order? [HON. MEMBERS: "Order."] Mr. Speaker is the judge of order, and if he calls me to order, I will sit down. Therefore, may I have an answer on this point?

Mr. Shinwell

As the right hon. Gentleman is aware, the Atlantic Command question has been settled.

Mr. Churchill

Oh? By whom? We will see about that.