§ 45. Mrs. Castleasked the Prime Minister the nature of the technical assistance being given by Her Majesty's Government to the Jordan Government to enable them to jam broadcasts from Cairo to Jordan.
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. R. A. Butler)I have been asked to reply.
The Jordan Government bought some transmitters in this country. The one British engineer who travelled with the equipment for initial servicing returned within a few days to the United Kingdom.
§ Mrs. CastleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Daily Maillast Saturday a statement was published that the jamming of the "Voice of Araby" broadcasts was going on regularly and required the co-operation of highly qualified technicians employed and sent out by the British Foreign Office? Does this therefore mean that Her Majesty's Government are in agreement with the Jordan Government's jamming of this radio? If not, what action do Her Majesty's Government intend to take about the matter?
§ Mr. ButlerI have read the extract from the newspaper to which the hon. Lady refers. I am sure that she will be the first to realise that the use which the Jordan Government may subsequently make of these transmitters must be a matter for the discretion of the Jordan Government, with which I cannot interfere or answer for in the House.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonOn a point of order. May I now, Mr. Speaker, complete the sentence which I tried to initiate a moment or two ago? In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply to Question No. 43, I beg to give notice that I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.