§ 40. Mr. Donnellyasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the statements made by Sir Anthony Eden in his memoirs, which were submitted to him before publication, he will now recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate the consultations which took place between Her Majesty's 231 Government, the French Government and the Government of Israel prior to the Suez expedition of 1956.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Macmillan)All these matters have been fully discussed in Parliament both at the time and in subsequent debates. I see no reason for any further inquiry.
§ Mr. DonnellyHas the right hon. Gentleman read the reference in Sir Anthony Eden's memoirs to the events of 16th October, and is he aware of the ambiguities that are very obvious in that chapter? Does not he think that he owes it to Sir Anthony Eden and the good name of some of his colleagues to have this inquiry, so that the matter can he cleared up?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. I think Sir Anthony repeated what he said in the House of Commons, and what has been said many times. I do not see that any purpose could be served by any further inquiry.
§ Mr. GaitskellIs the Prime Minister aware that since the original Government decision, there has been the publication of Sir Anthony Eden's memoirs, and that no doubt other books dealing with the same subject will be published? Is it not very unsatisfactory to have contradictory evidence, and is not the only way of clearing up the matter satisfactorily to have a formal official inquiry?
§ The Prime MinisterI cannot conceive of any purpose, national or international, that can be served. I must remind the House that these matters were debated over and over again in the last Parliament, and that, since then, the electors have renewed their confidence in a Conservative Government.
Mr. H. WilsonBut the electors had not then read the very unfair statements in Sir Anthony Eden's memoirs about the then Chancellor of the Exchequer. In view of the suggestion in the memoirs that the then Chancellor of the Exchequer had been so active in leading the way into Suez and was the first to proclaim the retreat, does not the Prime Minister think that in his own interests, there ought to be a Royal Commission?
§ The Prime MinisterWhen I want the right hon. Gentleman to spring to my support, I will indicate it.
§ Mr. GaitskellIs not the Prime Minister aware that the refusal of the Government once again to allow an official inquiry, and particularly the cheers from the benches opposite when that refusal was announced, can only confirm the view of the rest of the country that the Government have a great deal to hide in this matter?
§ The Prime MinisterWhat the country as a whole thought about the matter was, I should have thought, made quite clear in the autumn of last year.
§ Mr. DonnellyIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.