§ LORD KILLEARNMy Lords, I beg to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is true, as reported in the Press, that on their approach to Alexandria the British landing force was closely crossed by the United States Sixth Fleet; and if so, whether, as reported, there was an exchange of signals between the British and United States Admirals commanding the two forces; and if so, whether they could be published.]
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (VISCOUNT HAILSHAM)My Lords, the United States 6th Fleet was in the Eastern Mediterranean during the period of operations. According to a courteous message received from Vice Admiral Brown by our Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, its orders were to protect United States nationals and to evacuate them from the combat area. There were no contacts between the United States 6th Fleet and our landing force as suggested in my noble friend's Question. There were contacts between the 6th Fleet and our carrier task force which, not unnaturally, resulted in some temporary inconvenience to both Fleets.
In consequence of these contacts there was a friendly exchange of personal signals between the two Admirals, as a result of which each force offered the maximum co-operation consistent with the discharge of their respective missions in such a way as to avoid interference or accidents due to mistaken identity. It would not be in accordance with the traditions of the Service I represent to publish these signals. I wish to emphasise that they were couched in the most courteous terms and in my opinion reflect credit on the good sense and judgment of both Commanders.
§ LORD KILLEARNMy Lords, I should like to thank the First Lord for his Answer. I hope that he will agree that by my putting down the Question he has been able to lay a sinister suspicion which otherwise arose in certain minds, including my own, from the Press 637 reports published at the time. I hope he will agree that the putting down of the Question has served a useful purpose and that it has laid that particular matter. If I may leave the high level of the Admirals Commanding, I should like to ask (whether this is in order I do not know) if any other messages passed between the Fleets which the First Lord feels that the House might be interested to know of. Before I sit down, may I just apologise for wording my original Question wrongly? My Question reads "outside Alexandria"; of course, I did not mean Alexandria, I meant Port Said. It is really a verbal correction.
§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMMy Lords, I certainly agree that my noble friend was performing a public service by putting down this Question, and I am glad to think that my Answer has dissipated any suspicion, whether sinister or otherwise, which may have lurked and which may have been inconsistent with the terms of my Answer. As regards the second part of the supplementary question, I understand that there were some light-hearted and slightly frivolous visual exchanges between commanders on a slightly less exalted level, which reflected not at all upon the good relations of the two Navies.
§ LORD KILLEARNI beg to thank the First Lord. Before I leave the question, could he possibly say a word about the reported "buzzing" by American planes of our places and ships? Would that be in order?
§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMI think that is another question. I do not think there was any "buzzing" of planes by planes. I dare say that one or two exuberant young pilots came a little close —I am not sure. I should like to see a Question on the Paper if I am to answer it accurately.
§ LORD KILLEARNI thank the noble Viscount.