HC Deb 30 January 1957 vol 563 c971
14. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty to what extent British warships co-operate with United States warships in Eastern Mediterranean waters.

Mr. Soames

Quite a lot.

Mr. Hughes

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether the two fleets cooperated quite a lot during the recent trouble in Suez and whether at any time the British Fleet was threatened by the American Sixth Fleet, as stated by the latest Ministerial arrival at the War Office?

Mr. Soames

During the Suez operations, of course, the two fleets had two different rôles. Within the limits prescribed by those circumstances relations were courteous and cordial.

Mr. Shinwell

Was the consent of Mr. Dulles obtained in order to ensure cooperation between the American Fleet and the British Fleet in the Mediterranean?

Mr. Soames

I think that that would probably be a question for the Foreign Secretary.

Dr. Bennett

Which fleet represented "rock" and which represented "roll"?