HC Deb 25 June 1958 vol 590 cc398-400
10. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Minister of Defence the nature of the routine precautions in the field of defence which Her Majesty's Government are taking in relation to the situation in the Lebanon.

Mr. Sandys

We have endeavoured to put ourselves in a position to meet any possible eventuality.

Mr. Hughes

Is the Minister aware that he is getting less and less impressive as time goes on? He is supposed to be here to answer Questions and not to dodge them. Can he give a definite assurance that these troops, who were so enthusiastic about going to Cyprus, will not be used in another Suez venture in the Lebanon?

Mr. Sandys

The hon. Gentleman is altogether more and more repetitive.

Mr. Hughes

It is needed.

Mr. Sandys

My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary gave a definite assurance the other day that no action would be taken contrary to the United Nations Charter or to the established rules of international law. That should satisfy the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Bevan

May I say that that is not quite satisfactory? May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is in accordance with the rules of the United Nations Charter as interpreted by the United Nations or by the Government?

Mr. Sandys

I believe that my right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary will deal later on with Questions on this subject which are on the Order Paper.

Mr. Bevan

I am asking the right hon. Gentleman. I am asking him a question to elucidate what the right hon. Gentleman said. He was very tart with my hon. Friend the Member for South Ayrshire (Mr. Emrys Hughes). I should like him to be a little more explicit. He said that these troops were stationed where they are in anticipation of any eventuality that may arise. He said that they would only be used in connection with the Charter of the United Nations and with our international obligations. Who is to interpret the Charter—ourselves or the United Nations?

Mr. Sandys

I have not so far mentioned the word "troops" in my reply to the hon. Gentleman. We do, in fact, maintain troops in Cyprus for two purposes. One is to carry out internal security duties, and the other is to have a reserve to meet possible eventualities in emergencies in the Eastern Mediterranean area. I think that the recent outbreak of inter-communal strife, as the House will recognise, made it essential to increase the forces necessary to keep order in that area, while preserving the normal reserve which we have there for outside emergencies. If we had not sent this additional force there, we should not have had enough to deal with the internal security problem and we should have had to commit to police duties the reserve force which we normally preserve as a precaution in that area.

Mr. Hughes

In view of the profoundly unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.