HC Deb 24 July 1956 vol 557 cc186-7
14. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now in a position to make a statement on the deaths of twenty-one soldiers in the forest fire in Cyprus.

Mr. Head

This forest fire occurred during the season of forest fires in Cyprus and had been burning for twenty-four hours at the time when the fatal accident occurred. At this time troops were engaged in attempting to round up terrorists who had been located in the area.

Efforts were also being made by both soldiers and civilian fire fighters to bring the fire under control when the wind suddenly increased in strength. It caught the fire at the bottom of a steep wooded slope and drove it rapidly upwards to a narrow track along which vehicles were trying to escape from the fire. In doing so, they met a scout car coming in the opposite direction, and, because the track was too narrow for vehicles to pass, they were delayed while the scout car turned round. In these few moments the fire reached the road.

Because it was travelling at a speed of between 15 and 20 m.p.h., it trapped the men in their vehicles and prevented them from escaping on foot. The casualties occurred in a matter of a minute or two. Rescue efforts were made immediately by troops and civilians in the neighbourhood and their behaviour in fighting the fire and giving first aid to the injured was most commendable.

What caused the fire is not known, but it may have been started accidentally by a mortar bomb or intentionally by terrorists.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that I had it from a soldier in Cyprus that the fire was caused by mortars thrown by our own commandoes? Is he aware that twenty-one men, many of them National Service men, were burned to death as a result of this accident? Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that better precautions should have been taken, and can he explain why, six weeks after, this is the first time that we have had any expression of regret in the House for the murder of these men?

Mr. Head

The hon. Member has no right to say that. I have referred twice before to this matter and have expressed deep regret and sympathy with the relatives. Nobody regrets more than I do this tragic fire, but if there is a battle in dry weather in a forest area there is always the possibility of a fire. The casualties that occurred are a great tragedy. I am giving the hon. Member the results of the court of inquiry which we held to try to establish the cause.