Lords Sitting of 5 November 1956

Preamble
The House met at half past four of the clock, The LORD CHANCELLOR on the Woolsack.
Prayers

  THE SITUATION IN HUNGARY
  4.35 p.m.
  THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE MARQUESS OF READING): My Lords, with the permission of the House, I should like to make a further statement on Hungary.
  At midday on Saturday, the 3rd of November, a meeting took place between senior Soviet and Hungarian officers to discuss the technical aspect's of the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Hungary. The Soviet commander agreed that no more Soviet troops would cross the border during the course of the negotiations. The meeting was adjourned until 10 p.m. that night. The Hungarian military representatives, who returned to the meeting as arranged, have not been heard of since.
  At the time these negotiations began, Budapest was surrounded by two Russian divisions. Another five Soviet divisions were in the country.
  Early on Sunday morning, Soviet forces attacked Budapest. In the course of the morning, a message reached Her Majesty's Legation to the effect that at 8 a.m. a Soviet ultimatum had been given to Mr. Nagy's Government, threatening, to bomb Budapest if the Government had not capitulated by noon. By the time this message was delivered, the building in which Mr. Nagy and his colleagues were assembled was already surrounded by Russian tanks. The fate of Mr. Nagy and his Government is not yet officially known. According to agency reports they are under arrest.
  Long before the resistance of the loyal Hungarian forces had been overcome, Moscow radio announced that they had been crushed. Moscow radio also announced the formation of a Hungarian Revolutionary Workers and Peasants' Government, with Kadar as Prime Minister. The first act of the puppet
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  Government was to appeal to the Soviet Farces Command to crush their compatriots, whom they described as mutinous forces.
  Since yesterday morning, the tragic developments in Hungary have been discussed by both the Security Council and the General Assembly of the United Nations.
  The General Assembly, in calling on the Soviet Government to desist from its intervention in Hungary and to withdraw its forces from the country, have asked the Soviet and Hungarian Governments to admit United Nations observers. They have also called on member Governments to make available food, medicines and other supplies which might be needed for the people of Hungary. This resolution was opposed only by the Soviet Union and its satellites.
  Her Majesty's Government have decided to make a further grant of £25,000 to the Red Cross.
  In Hungary we are witnessing a reversion to the worst features of the system of domination of other States which the world had come to associate with the name of Stalin. The brave struggle for freedom of a nation which was in breach of no agreements, desired only neutrality and threatened no other country is now being ruthlessly crushed.
  LORD HENDERSON: My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Marquess for the statement that he has just made, and from these Benches we should like to associate ourselves with the world-wide reprobation of the action taken by the Soviet Union in Hungary. I am sure we are all horrified at the brutality of the ruthless aggression by the Soviet Union. As I understand it, their resort to force against Hungarian independence and freedom is a cynical violation of their obligations under the Yalta Agreement, the Atlantic Charter, the United Nations Charter, the Convention on Human Rights and the Hungarian Peace Treaty. I do not believe for a single moment that it will extinguish the aspirations for freedom either in Hungary or in any of the other captive nations, though it may set hack the clock of attainment. We hope that the United Nations will employ to the utmost its political authority and moral influence to sustain, support and I succour the Hungarian people in their

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  struggle for freedom, and we are glad to know that Her Majesty's Government are to give their fullest support and encouragement to the United Nations in these efforts. We welcome the declaration just made by the noble Marquess that Her Majesty's Government have decided to double their contribution of aid to the Hungarian people, and we hope that the United Nations w ill be made the vehicle for the transmission of all forms of aid, in order to ensure that it is used promptly for the alleviation of the Hungarian people's grave distress and urgent needs.
  LORD REA: My Lords, there is little need for me to add anything to what has already been said. We on these Benches equally thank the noble Marquess, Lord Reading, for his statement on this tragic affair, and we support everything that has been said by the noble Lord, Lord Henderson. I am sure that in all quarters of the House we hope that Her Majesty's Government will always align themselves in this matter with those who are anxious to do something to alleviate this tragic situation.
  LORD SILKIN: My Lords, could the noble Marquess say what action we took at the United Nations Assembly?
  THE MARQUESS OF READING: We supported. I am obliged to both noble Lords for what they have said on this matter.

  THE MIDDLE EAST
  4.42 p.m.
  THE MARQUESS OF READING: My Lords, with the further indulgence of the House, I should now like to make a statement on the Israel-Egypt situation, prefacing it with an apology to noble Lords who lead both the Parties opposite for the fact that great pressure of time has made it impossible for me to give them a copy in advance, which is something that we always desire to do.
  Since the House met on Thursday, the General Assembly of the United Nations, meeting in Emergency Special Session, has passed three resolutions. The first was sponsored by a number of Asian and African States. This called for a ceasefire, the halting of the movement of military forces and arms into the area and
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  the withdrawal of all forces in the area behind the armistice lines. It authorised the Secretary-General to obtain compliance. The second resolution was sponsored by Canada. It requested the Secretary-General to submit within forty-eight hours a plan for the setting up, with the consent of the nations concerned, of an emergency International United Nations Force to secure and supervise the cessation of hostilities in accordance with the terms of the cease-fire resolution of November 2.
  Yesterday morning, the Secretary-General of the United Nations drew the attention of Her Majesty's Government to these resolutions and requested all parties to bring a halt to all hostile military actions in the area by 8 o'clock, Greenwich Mean Time, yesterday. Her Majesty's Government had already invited the French Ministers to come to London for consultations. They informed Mr. Hammarskjoeld of this fact and explained that it was not possible to give him a definite answer to his message within the time limit which he had stipulated. As a result of their consultations with the French Government they sent a telegram to the Secretary-General very early this morning. This read as follows:
  "The Governments of the United Kingdom and France have studied carefully the resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly passed on 3rd and 4th November.
  "They warmly welcome the idea which seems to underly the request to the Secretary-General contained in the resolution sponsored by Canada, and adopted by the Assembly at its 563rd meeting, that an international force should be interpolated as a shield between Israel and Egypt pending a Palestine settlement and a settlement of the question of the Suez Canal. But according to their information neither the Israeli nor the Egyptian Government has accepted such a proposal. Nor has any plan for an international force been accepted by the General Assembly or endorsed by the Security Council.
  "The composition of the staff and contingents of the international force would be a matter for discussion.
  "The two Governments continue to believe that it is necessary to interpose an international force to prevent the continuance of hostilities between Egypt and Israel, to secure the speedy withdrawal of Israeli forces, to take the necessary measures to remove obstructions and restore traffic through the Suez Canal, and to promote a settlement of the problems of the area.
  "Certain Anglo-French operations, with strictly limited objectives, are continuing. But as soon as the Israeli and Egyptian Governments signify acceptance of, and the United

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  Nations endorses, a plan for an international force with the above functions the two Governments will cease all military action.
  "In thus stating their views, the United Kingdom and French Governments would like to express their firm conviction that their action is justified. To return deliberately to the system which has produced continuing deadlock and chaos in the Middle East is now not only undesirable but impossible. A new constructive solution is required. To this end they suggest that an early Security Council Meeting at the Ministerial level should be called in order to work out an international settlement which would be likely to endure, together with the means to enforce it."
  This message to the Secretary-General crossed a telegram from him informing Her Majesty's Government of the passing of a third resolution. This referred to the Canadian resolution, which I have already described, and to a preliminary report from the Secretary-General on the plan to set up an emergency International United Nations Force. It called for the establishment of United Nations command to secure and supervise the cessation of hostilities in accordance with all the terms of the earlier cease-fire resolution. It appointed General Burns. Chief of Staff of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation, Chief of Command on an emergency basis. It authorised General Burns immediately to recruit from the Observer Corps of the Truce Supervision Organisation a limited number of officers who shall be nationals of countries other than those having permanent membership in the Security Council and, further, in consultation with the Secretary-General, to undertake the recruitment directly from various Member States other than the permanent Member States of the Security Council the additional number of officers needed. Finally, it invited the Secretary-General to take such administrative measures as may he necessary for the prompt execution of the actions envisaged in this Resolution.
  Her Majesty's Government abstained from voting on this resolution. They fully approved the principle of an International United Nations Force. But although the steps called for in this latest resolution might be considered to be a beginning, they are not in themselves likely to achieve the purposes set out in our message to the Secretary-General. We do not know that hostilities between Israel and Egypt have ceased or that they will not be restyled. The measures to he taken under the latest resolution will not be sufficient to ensure this.
  We cannot ensure that the Israelis withdraw from Egyptian territory until we are physically in the area to keep the peace, give the necessary guarantees and prevent a repetition of the events of the past few years. It is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to "ensure that the Israel forces withdraw from Egyptian territory". We have also told the United Nations that we believe it is necessary to secure the speedy withdrawal of Israel forces. There must also be immediate means on the spot to take the necessary measures to remove obstructions and restore navigation through the Suez Canal, and to promote a settlement of the problems of the area.
  It will, of course, be a matter for the Security Council, if our proposal for an early meeting at Ministerial level is accepted, to consider what part the United Kingdom and France should play in achieving all the objectives to which I have referred. Meanwhile Her Majesty's Government believe that the Anglo-French forces, once they are established in the area, will be the best guarantee that these purposes will be effectively and speedily achieved.
  4.50 p.m.
  THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE EARL OF HOME): My Lords, may I intervene just for one moment? I have news of such importance that I think the House should know it at once. The Prime Minister has just announced in another place that a signal has been received, which is subject to confirmation, the terms of which are:
  "Governor and Military Commander Port Said now discussing surrender terms with Brigadier Butler and cease-fire has been ordered."
  LORD HENDERSON: "Cease-fire" has been ordered where?
  THE MARQUESS OF READING: In Port Said.
  THE EARL OF HOME: I thought the House should have that news.
  LORD HENDERSON: My Lords, with regard to the statement made by the noble Marquess, Lord Reading, it is very long, involved and difficult to appreciate at first hearing, therefore I will not make any comments at the moment. I gather,

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  however, that it continues to be a rejection of the General Assembly's demands for an immediate cease-fire.
  THE MARQUESS OF READING: Yes.
  VISCOUNT HALL: My Lords, may I just put one question, following the statement which was made by the noble Earl? Does it mean that there w ill be a discontinuation of the sending of any troops to Egypt?
  THE EARL OF HOME: My Lords, I do not think I can carry this matter further at present. It is a message which the Prime Minister has just received. I have only just been given it in this form and thought that I would give it immediately to your Lordships. Of course the House will be informed as developments take place.
  LORD REA: My Lords, I agree with what the noble Lord, Lord Henderson, says. It is not a matter for debate at the moment. This matter will come up later in the week.
  THE MARQUESS OF READING: My Lords, I realise that it was a long, involved and complex statement, but I thought it right to make it at the earliest moment. No doubt, later days of this week will give us an opportunity to discuss the situation in more detail.
  THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (THE EARL OF GOSFORD): My Lords, with your Lordships' permission I have a short statement to make, although the telegram which your Lordships have just heard has rather overtaken the event. As this statement is being made in another place, I thought your Lordships would like to hear it. It is on the military situation in Egypt and based on the most recent information available. The statement is as follows:
  At 05.15 hours, G.M.T., British and French paratroops were dropped in the Port Said area. Landings were made on the airfield to the west of Port Said and around the two bridges to the south of the town. Resistance was encountered, but operations appear to be proceeding as planned, although no very detailed report of their progress is yet available. Repeated warnings have been given to the civilian population of Port Said to
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  keep away from defined areas of danger. During Sunday air attacks continued. They were, as before, entirely restricted to military targets.
  House adjourned during pleasure.
  House resumed.

  ROYAL COMMISSION
  5.0 p.m.
  The following Bills received the Royal Assent:

  Hill Farming,

  Crown Estate,

  Copyright,

  Education (Scotland),

  Medical,

  South of Scotland Electricity Order

  Confirmation.

  PROROGATION: HER MAJESTY'S SPEECH
  And afterwards Her Majesty's most gracious Speech was delivered to both Houses of Parliament by The Lord Chancellor (in pursuance of Her Majesty's Command) as followeth:
  "My Lords and Members of the House of Commons:
  "I shall always retain the happiest recollections of the visit which I paid with My Dear Husband to the Federation of Nigeria and of the moving welcome accorded to us there. We also recall with pleasure our visits to the Kingdoms of Norway and Sweden and the gracious reception extended to us by the peoples of those countries. The warmth of the regard shown by My peoples of East Africa and Mauritius to My Dear Sister during her recent visit has been a source of great satisfaction to Me.
  "I have also been very happy to welcome to this country the President of our oldest ally, Portugal, and the King of Iraq, with whom we are so closely associated in the Bagdad Pact.
  "My Government have been gravely concerned at the outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Egypt. They resolved, in conjunction with the French Government, to make a quick and decisive intervention to protect the lives

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  of our nationals and to safeguard the Suez Canal by separating the combatants and restoring peace. My Government have proposed that the United Nations should take over responsibility for policing the area, as a prelude to a satisfactory settlement in the Middle East. They earnestly trust that this purpose will be achieved.
  "My Government have maintained their efforts in the Disarmament Commission of the United Nations to achieve an international agreement on conventional and nuclear disarmament.
  "The Prime Ministers of the Commonwealth met in London at the end of June Their discussions were prompted by a desire to further the common interests of their countries and to seek by all means to promote peace and security in the world. My Government have continued to support the purposes of the Colombo Plan and have increased their provision for technical assistance.
  "The situation in Cyprus has caused My Ministers profound concern. In the face of violence and provocation My Forces have shown exemplary steadiness and forbearance. My Government have taken a fresh initiative by appointing a Commissioner to make recommendations for a new and liberal Constitution for the Island.
  "I was deeply grieved at the loss of life arid great devastation from a disastrous hurricane suffered by several of My West Indian territories. I am glad to know that with the aid of assistance from My Government in the United Kingdom, from others of My Governments, from foreign countries and public appeals they have since made good progress towards recovery.
  "A Round Table Conference was appointed to consider proposals for closer association of Malta with the United Kingdom. My Government accepted their report and discussions preparatory to the consequential legislation are now proceeding.
  "An Act was passed conferring powers on Me to provide for a British Caribbean Federation. It was agreed at a Conference with a delegation from the Federation of Malaya that a new Constitution providing for full self-government and independence within
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  the Commonwealth should be introduced by August, 1957, if possible. An Order in Council has been made providing for an elected majority in the Legislative Assembly of Sarawak.
  "The pay and conditions of service of members of the Services on regular engagements have been improved. Plans have been developed for using My Forces in support of the local civil defence services which have continued to play their part in home defence.
  "Members of the House of Commons:
  "I thank you for the provision which you have made for the public services.
  My Lords and Members of the House of Commons:
  "It has been the constant concern of My Ministers to maintain full employment, to encourage savings by vigorous and imaginative incentives and to preserve the strength and stability of the economy.
  In order to stimulate competitive enterprise an Act has been passed to provide for the registration of restrictive trading agreements and their judicial examination by a special court, and to prohibit the collective enforcement of resale price conditions.
  "The law dealing with copyright and related matters has been revised.
  "The price guarantees and grants determined by My Ministers have provided valuable support for the agricultural industry. Farmers and workers have faced with courage and determination the difficulties caused by the bad weather this year.
  "Further help has been provided for agriculture in the hill farming and livestock rearing areas.
  "Further financial assistance has been provided for the fishing industry.
  "An Act has been passed to safeguard the health, and to provide for the safety and welfare, of those employed in agriculture and forestry.
  "My Ministers have ended the Government purchase of imported bacon and have arranged for the import of sugar for home consumption to he returned to private trading. I have given My Assent to an Act to carry

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  out the Government's obligations under the Commonwealth Sugar Agreement.
  "Measures have been enacted to introduce new arrangements for financing agricultural research and to amend the constitution of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.
  "My Government have announced a five-year plan for extending technical education. An Act has also been passed amending, the schemes of superannuation for teachers.
  "The law relating to education in Scotland has been amended.
  "My Government have been much concerned with the problem of traffic on the roads and legislation has been passed to improve its regulation and to promote road safety.
  "New criminal courts have been set up in Liverpool and Manchester and legislation has been enacted to make further reforms in the administration of justice. The system of legal aid has been extended to proceedings in the county courts in England and Wales and the jurisdiction of these courts has been increased.
  "The law relating to rating and valuation in England and Wales has been amended. Legislation has also been passed to amend the law of valuation and rating in Scotland and to provide a new basis for the payment of equalisation grant to Scottish local authorities for an interim period.
  "Legislation has been enacted to abate the evils of air pollution.
  "The structure of the housing subsidies in England and Wales has been modified so as to encourage the building of houses to replace slums and to relieve the congestion of our cities. The
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  compensation payable to certain owner-occupiers and businesses affected by slum clearance has been improved.
  "An Act has been passed to provide for the establishment of a General Dental Council.
  "Family allowances have been extended, improvements have been made in the war pensions and national insurance benefits of widows with children, the earnings rules for insurance pensioners have been relaxed, and provision has been made for those receiving workmen's compensation who are totally disabled. The national assistance scales have been raised. The pensions of retired members of the public services have been increased.
  "My Lords and Members of the House of Commons:
  "I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may attend you."
  After which The LORD CHANCELLOR said:
  My Lords and Members of the House of Commons, by virtue of Her Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, we do, in Her Majesty's name, and in obedience to Her Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Tuesday, the 6th day of this instant November, to be then here holden, and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Tuesday, the 6th day of this instant November.
  End of the First Session of the Forty-first Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the fifth year of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.