HC Deb 14 November 1956 vol 560 cc942-3
33. Mr. Wigg

asked the Minister of Defence if he will state the time and date on which the officer commanding British troops in Aquaba became aware that Israeli troops were undertaking a major operation against Egypt; and the time and date on which the information reached Headquarters, Middle East.

Mr. Head

G.H.Q. Middle East first heard that Israeli troops were undertaking a major operation against Egypt in a signal from Tel Aviv, which reached them at 23.30—local time—on 29th October. The signal was repeated with emergency priority to the British force at Aquaba. It may be, however, that they first heard the news on the wireless the following morning.

Mr. Wigg

Whilst thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that Answer, may I point out that he has not answered my Question? At Aquaba there is an armoured regiment, the 10th Hussars. At what time did they know that Israeli troops were crossing, because it was in that vicinity that they crossed?

Mr. Head

They did not know anything about the major attack, but they reported by a signal that guns had passed through Elath at 05.30, and that on the nights of 27–28th and 28–29th October 'planes had landed at Elath and had taken off after dark. Their supposition was that Elath was being reinforced.

Mr. Wigg

In other words the Government, in fact, received confirmation on the 27th? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his statement confirms the belief that there was collusion? [HON. MEMBERS: "Nonsense."] Oh, yes, it confirms that there was collusion, and that the Government knew well in advance the nature of the Israeli operation.

Mr. Head

The hon. Gentleman is jumping to extraordinary conclusions. All that the force at Aquaba did was to report this movement, which looked as though Elath was being reinforced, but there was no indication, either locally or as a result of the signal, that any major operation was taking place.

Mr. Stokes

May I ask the Minister, regardless of what the troops on the spot learned, whether he knew beforehand of the impending attack?

Mr. Head

I am telling the right hon. Gentleman that we knew by this signal which came from Tel Aviv.

Several Hon. Members rose

—

Mr. Speaker

Order. We have spent a lot of time on this Question. Mr. Wigg. Question No. 34.

Mr. Wigg

On a point of order. In view of the evasive nature of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, I shall take an early opportunity of raising this matter on the Adjournment.