HC Deb 27 February 1957 vol 565 cc1213-4
18. Mr. Zilliacus

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will exempt National Service men from serving in military operations, undertaken in pursuance of the Bagdad Pact, or at the instigation of the United States of America under the Eisenhower doctrine or under South-East Asia Treaty Organisation to put down alleged Communist subversion in the territories of Middle Eastern or Far Eastern States.

Mr. Sandys

No, Sir.

Mr. Zilliacus

Does the Minister's reply mean that the Government believe that they are entitled to use, and could get away with using, British forces, let alone National Service men, to put down popular risings in countries like Iraq, Iran and Vietnam, with reactionary dictatorships in charge? Do they not realise that we would get stuck in a situation far worse than that facing us in Cyprus today. and that the Government might end by provoking popular resistance of the kind that put an end to intervention in Russia?

Mr. Sandys

The hon. Member's Question referred to Communist subversion. Happily, the hon. Member's attitude towards Communism is shared by very few people in this country.

Mr. Daines

Could the Minister use his powers of persuasion with the hon. Member for Gorton (Mr. Zilliacus), with his unique qualities and contacts, to make representations to the Russian Government so that they could adopt similar proposals and prevent a recurrence of the recent events in Hungary?

Mr. S. Silverman

Now that the right hon. Gentleman has had his fun, will he direct his mind to the substance of the Question which my hon. Friend asked: namely, whether British forces are to be used in order to intervene in revolts or rebellions of any kind in any country which anyone may choose to describe as Communist?

Mr. Sandys

The Question dealt with Communist subversion. [HON. MEMBERS: "Alleged."] "Alleged" does not alter it. Somebody has to form a view about it and it must be the Governments who are responsible for the time being in the countries concerned. I think it is generally accepted that straightforward military aggression is not the only form of threat with which the free world is faced.