HC Deb 28 July 1955 vol 544 cc1353-5
Mr. Robens

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can state the number of British nationals killed or injured in the recent shooting down of a civil aircraft over Bulgaria.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. R. H. Turton)

Five United Kingdom British subjects are known to have been on board this Israeli airliner when it left London, but I am not yet able to say whether any others joined it at Paris or Vienna. There are no survivors. I know that the House will join with me in expressing sympathy with the relatives of those who lost their lives.

Mr. Robens

On behalf of those on this side of the House, may I join in the right hon. Gentleman's expression of sympathy with the relatives of those who died? May I ask whether it is confirmed that the aircraft was shot down, and what representations the British Government are making?

Mr. Turton

Within the last few minutes the Bulgarian home service radio has made an announcement to the following effect: The Israeli plane was flying off course near Blagoevgrad. Anti-aircraft fire was opened on the plane which crashed and was destroyed, all on board being killed. The Bulgarian Government deeply regrets the incident and has appointed a commission, headed by the Foreign Minister, to investigate the circumstances of the incident.

Mr. H. Morrison

Could the right hon. Gentleman, with the Foreign Secretary, consider whether something cannot be done to get some agreement whereby people do not shoot down civil planes which may be innocently off course. It seems a terrible thing to do. Is there not some way in which they could be persuaded to signal to the aircraft so that it knows that it is off course—if that is alleged—so that the aircraft could be put on the right course? I think that the House will agree that this shooting down of aircraft in the way that has been going on is a brutal business.

Mr. Turton

I entirely share the views expressed by the right hon. Gentleman. I cannot envisage any circumstances in which a civil air liner on a scheduled flight could ever be legitimately shot down.

Mr. A. Henderson

Would not the right hon. Gentleman also agree that it is quite contrary to all the rules of international law to use force of this nature against a civil air liner or 'plane of any kind in time of peace?

Mr. Turton

I think the House will realise that we have just heard of the expression of regret by the Government responsible and that a commission of inquiry is investigating. I think it would be unwise to say anything more at the present time.

Mr. Shinwell

As the House will not be meeting for some time, can we have an assurance that the Government will pursue their inquiries with the utmost expedition, and also ensure that the Bulgarian Government live up to the promise they have made concerning regret and possible compensation, and see that no similar incident will arise in the future? May I endorse the appeal made by my right hon. Friend the deputy Leader of the Opposition that something should be done—how I cannot say, but it may be within the wit of the Government to find some means—of avoiding incidents of this kind in future by co-operation with other countries?

Mr. Turton

A commission of inquiry has been set up by the Bulgarian Government and we shall await its findings. However, immediately Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Sofia heard of the disaster he requested that the Vice-Consul should be allowed to visit the scene of the crash, which is in a frontier zone usually closed to foreigners, so we shall, we hope, soon have a report from the Vice-Consul.

Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—[Mr. Buchan-Hepburn.]