General Sir Charles Keightley (London Consultations) (Hansard, 5 December 1956)

§ 52. Mr. K. Robinson
asked the Minister of Defence on what date in October General Sir Charles Keightley arrived in London; how long he remained here; what was the purpose of the visit; and with which of Her Majesty's Ministers he had consultations.

§ Mr. Head
General Keightley was recalled from the Middle East on 22nd August for consultations with the Chiefs of Staff and senior Ministers about the situation in the Middle East. He returned to Cyprus on 30th August. Thereafter, he paid periodical visits to London for the same purpose, including a longer visit in October.

§ Mr. Robinson
The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my Question. My Question asked on what date in October did General Keightley come here, and for what purpose was he recalled. Will the right hon. Gentleman now tell us what the dates were, and also give the House an assurance whether or not the discussions included the discussion of plans for Anglo-French military intervention in Egypt, in conjunction with an Israeli attack?

§ Mr. Head
The purpose of General Keightley's recall—[HON. MEMBERS: "Dates."] The House might let me answer and shout afterwards. The purpose of General Keightley's visits here was for consultations concerning our military precautions in the Mediterranean, which were taken subsequent to the Canal being taken over by Colonel Nasser. The dates of his visit were from 22nd to 30th August; from 2nd to 13th September; 27th September, and from 1st to 29th October.

Mr. Lee
In reply to Question No. 50 the right hon. Gentleman told us that the Cabinet were under the impression that certain preparations were being made by Israel to invade Egypt. Under those conditions, why was it that they asked for an assurance that there would be no invasion of Jordan, without asking for one at the same time in respect of Egypt?

§ Mr. Head
I cannot remember the exact date concerned in that question, but what I said to the hon. Gentleman is correct, namely, that we heard of the Israeli mobilisation from Her Majesty's Ambassador in Tel Aviv on the dates that I have mentioned.