§ Mr. Prescott(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement concerning the deaths of British seamen on board the British cargo boat "Harmattan" bombed by Indian Air Force jets in Karachi.
§ The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Joseph Godber)We received reports yesterday that the British ship "Harmattan", registered in London, was subjected to a missile attack in the outer anchorage at Karachi during the night of 8th to 9th December. I regret to inform the House that seven members of the crew were killed and six injured. The next of kin have been informed. All those killed were British subjects.
We have made strong protests to the Indian authorities in New Delhi and to the Indian High Commissioner in London about this totally unjustified attack on neutral shipping.
§ Mr. PrescottI am sure that the whole House will want to identify with me in expressing great concern and also the deepest sympathy to the relatives of those British seamen who died on board this vessel. At the same time, I want to express the anger and frustration of the maritime unions at this dastardly attack on a British ship, which obviously must have been recognised as a British ship. Will Her Majesty's Government, together with the other interested parties, ask the Indian Government for compensation for the relatives of these seamen?
This incident again illustrates the dangers which face merchant seamen in 1684 this sort of situation—the more so than in the case of almost all other civilian employees, because they can be in one part of the world on peaceful trade one day and then find themselves suddenly sent directly to a war zone and in danger of this sort of attack. I hope that the Government are making the strongest possible protest about this attack.
§ Mr. GodberI fully understand the strength of the hon. Gentleman's feelings and we all recognise the dangers which confront merchant seamen. My hon. Friend, who called in the Indian High Commissioner yesterday, made plain our feelings about the attack. The question of compensation is a matter which we shall be following up.
§ Mr. WilkinsonWhile associating myself wholeheartedly with the expressions of deepest sympathy to the relatives of those killed or injured in this wanton and unprovoked attack on British shipping, may I ask whether, as this is not the first instance of Indian attacks upon allied shipping, my right hon. Friend will make certain that arrangements are made—if necessary, naval arrangements—to ensure the security of our shipping around the Indian sub-continent? Will he also ensure that Britain for her part does not supply the arms which make this sort of attack possible?
§ Mr. GodberYes, Sir. In so far as the question of this being the first attack or otherwise is concerned, it is, as far as I am aware, the first attack by the Indian Government as such. Previous attacks on shipping in other parts have, as far as I know, been by the Mukti Bahini. From wherever these attacks come, we deeply deplore them and we have protested on each occasion—in this case in the strongest possible terms to the Indian Government—and, of course, we shall seek to ensure the safety of British personnel wherever they may be.
§ Mr. DouglasCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us what was the exact position of the ship? While associating myself with the expressions of sympathy which come from both sides of the House, may I ask exactly what action the Government are taking to ensure that all the passengers on the ship are listed and that information is given to the next-of-kin of 1685 those killed or injured and those saved in this tragic incident?
§ Mr. GodberThe ship was in the outer harbour of Karachi when struck. The next-of-kin of the personnel involved have been informed. I have no exact information about the others, but I am sure that the shipping line will be reassuring the relatives of all those affected.
§ Mr. BraineIs my right hon. Friend aware that this terrible happening underlines the disquiet which is growing about the safety of our nationals in Karachi and Dacca. Can my right hon. Friend give the House any information about the information about the evacuation of these areas?
§ Mr. GodberYes. This is another matter which has been exercising us very much indeed. My hon. Friend is in charge of an emergency committee which is considering this the whole time. The latest information I can give the House is that this morning a Hercules aircraft of the Royal Air Force lifted from Karachi about 330 British nationals, together with some others for whom we have responsibility. These have been flown to Masirah and will return to the United Kingdom from Cyprus. We hope to be able to arrange a similar evacuation from Dacca early tomorrow. The Indians have agreed to a cease-fire which will make this possible, and further flights are planned by the R.A.F. to Islamabad and Karachi. We are grateful to the Government of Pakistan for agreeing to these humanitarian flights and to the Government of India for arranging the ceasefire to enable them to take place.
§ Mr. OgdenHas the Minister any information about the type of missile said to have caused these tragic deaths because that would have a bearing on whether it was deliberate or accidental. Has he any advice to offer British companies? Will this be a prohibited area for British shipping?
§ Mr. GodberIt is too early to have precise information. We are seeking the fullest possible information as to what happened. All I am told is that it was a missile attack. As far as shipping is concerned, we do not accept that there is a right to attack British shipping in the Bay of Bengal or anywhere else. We shall seek to ensure its safety as far as we can.
§ Mr. HealeyWhile supporting the right hon. Gentleman's report to the House, may I follow up his hon. Friend's question and ask whether he would arrange to make a statement to the House on Monday about progress in evacuating British citizens? I congratulate the Services on having made a good start in this operation.
§ Mr. GodberMy right hon. Friend will be back on Monday and I hope that he will be able to make a statement. We are answering Questions and there will be ample opportunity then. I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for these words. Everything possible is being done and there is likely to be a further attempt to lift more out of Karachi before the day is out.