HC Deb 26 October 1953 vol 518 cc2405-6
17. Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the demand made by the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the United States of America for £660,000 compensation for the alleged shooting down of a Soviet passenger aeroplane by American fighters in the Far East on 27th July; and if Her Majesty's Government will make a comparable claim on the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as compensation for the shooting down of a Lincoln bomber of the Royal Air Force in the Hamburg-Berlin air corridor in March last.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Nutting)

Yes, Sir. A claim was made to the Soviet authorities for due reparation for the loss of the Lincoln and its crew, but the Soviet Government have refused to acknowledge their responsibility. Her Majesty's Government will continue to press this matter.

Brigadier Medlicott

Is the Minister aware that the parents of the pilot of the bomber, who are constituents of mine, deeply appreciate what has already been done by Her Majesty's Government, but would not the presentation of a further claim to the Russian Government indicate that the loss of a British plane is quite a serious matter as is the loss of a Russian plane?

Mr. Nutting

I have told my hon. and gallant Friend that we shall continue to press the matter.