HL Deb 12 February 1958 vol 207 cc700-4

5.51 p.m.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE rose to ask Her Majesty's Government, whether, in view of the shock caused to public opinion by the bombing of Sakiet in Tunisia by French aircraft, with the loss of many lives, they will:—

  1. (a) Make available, at once, such medical and other supplies as may be thought necessary by the Red Cross authorities on the spot;
  2. (b) Ask for an immediate meeting of the Security Council to consider the grave situation that has developed between France and Tunisia which is a threat to peace;
  3. (c) Instruct their permanent representative at the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to raise with the Secretary-General the question of the use by the French Government in Algeria on this occasion of aircraft and other equipment supplied to them by, through and for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; and
  4. (d) Take an immediate initiative to open negotiations designed to secure a just and peaceful settlement of the Algerian question in accordance with the United Nations Resolution of December 10, 1957.

The noble Viscount said: My Lords, I shall be very brief. This matter is relevant to the debate that we have been having, and I received my cue from Lord Windlesham's last remarks, in which he complained that Lord Alexander of Hillsborough called this an untimely moment. I cannot imagine a more untimely moment to suggest that the Spaniards should come into N.A.T.O.

I shall simply recite the details of my Question which have been well known since last Friday or Saturday. France is a member of N.A.T.O.; Algeria is named in N.A.T.O. and is a member of the N.A.T.O. Area. France is attempting to impose a Constitution on Algeria which many of the people there do not want, and there has been a Civil War for some time. Tunis has been granted independence—I think that word will pass. Then a few days ago some Algerians, fleeing, I suppose, from the attacks of the French troops in Algeria, crossed the Tunisian border to a little town called Sakiet. They were pursued by a number of bombers, and I believe that seventy-six people were injured—the figures were in the newspapers—and a certain number of them were killed. A Swedish Red Cross observer who was there has put in the evidence that Red Cross vehicles were destroyed.

This, of course, is a matter which affects the whole Arab world. Tunisia is in the Arab world. Egypt, naturally, has protested. Rabat has had a meeting which expressed sympathy with Tunis. Why I say that Lord Windlesham's Motion is so irrelevant is that he proposes to introduce into N.A.T.O. a European Power, namely. Spain, that is not acceptable to the Arab world. Spain has not only the memory of the Riff—that is a long time ago—but she is also engaged at present in some military operations at Ifni; and there is no doubt that at this moment Moroccan opinion, and no doubt the whole of Arab opinion, is extremely hostile to Spain's policy for Ifni. If, therefore, Spain were to be introduced at this moment it would add another element of anger to Arab opinion.

May I come back to the question of France? There has been a debate in France: yesterday M. Gaillard and others had a debate. There was nothing in that debate which could give any comfort to the victims of this outrage, despite the fact that there was some small talk to the effect that if civilians had been injured they would be paid. That is the situation. Then there is one very important point: the bombers which were used in this bombing were planes which were made in America and intended for the use of N.A.T.O. They went, naturally, into the French Forces. This is a very serious point, and I notice that Mr. Dulles himself, in looking into the matter, stated that he cannot say exactly what happens to the American bombers. But the fact is that these bombers (nobody questions this) were made in America and supplied by America. There you have the story: a violent attack on civilians and on the Red Cross in an Arab country; and the attack was made by a country using bombers supplied as part of N.A.T.O. equipment. We are interested because we are ourselves members of N.A.T.O. and we are ourselves members of the United Nations. What I attempted to say in my speech was that matters concerning Spain—and I am no enemy of Spain at all—were properly dealt with in the whole society of mankind.

In my Question I am really asking the Government four things. First of all, whether they will make a gesture of relief. A gesture was made instantly—I do not say for disinterested motives, but it was reported by Moscow radio on the same evening. Secondly, I am asking whether the Government will ask for an immediate meeting of the Security Council, because that is the right place to consider the situation. I understand that Tunis has made some arrangements for this to be brought forward. My third suggestion is to ask our representatives in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation to find out about the use of these bombers. Your Lordships must realise what a very serious question that is. If America supplies bombers, possibly with atomic warheads (I do not say that that was so in this case, because I do not know; but planes are going to be equipped more and more efficiently with the most modern apparatus), and if individual members use them for the settlement of their own accounts with their neighbours, or with what they call "rebels", the situation is very serious. The third part of my Question is perhaps the most important of all. Fourthly, I ask that the matter should be brought before the United Nations, which is the proper tribunal to settle it.

I think, my Lords, that you will consider those suggestions reasonable. They are not put forward in any spirit of criticism of the Government, but they are put forward in a consciousness of the very serious position of N.A.T.O., and of the European countries generally, in the face of this situation. I hope that perhaps the noble Earl, Lord Gosford, will see his way to give some comfort which can at any rate avoid what is the greatest danger—namely, that this incident will be made the cause of the stimulation of sympathy ill Morocco, because then you may have the new Arab Empire extending to include Morocco, Tunisia, perhaps Libya, Egypt and Syria—from Damascus to the Atlantic Ocean. That is not impossible, though, of course, the suggestion comes merely from the imagination of an ordinary observer and a student of affairs. But the position is serious, so I hope that the noble Earl will be able to give some assurance. I know that the notice of the Question has been short; but a Question has been raised in another place on the subject; the incident happened at the end of last week, and no doubt has been under constant and careful review by the noble Earl's Department. With those remarks, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name.

5.59 p.m.

THE EARL OF GOSFORD

My Lords, I regret that owing to the very short notice which I received that the noble Viscount, Lord Stansgate, had put this Question on the Order Paper—in fact, I saw the Question only this morning—I am unable to give a detailed Answer to his questions to-day. However, somewhat similar Questions have been put by an honourable Member in the other House, who I think has some connection with the noble Viscount.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

I hope so!

THE EARL OF GOSFORD

With your Lordships' permission I will read the Answer which was given by my right honourable friend.

Her Majesty's Government were gravely concerned by the recent French raid on a Tunisian village. They deplore the loss of civilian lives involved. We are actively discussing the situation with the French and Tunisian Governments, with both of whom we are in close and friendly relations. Our Ambassadors in Paris and Tunis were instructed to urge on the French and Tunisian Governments the need for moderation and restraint. It is true that the relations between France and Tunisia have recently deteriorated; but fortunately not yet so far that wise statesmanship cannot restore that collaboration which is so much in the interest of both countries and of all the West.

The Tunisian representative at the United Nations has addressed a note to the Secretary General which has been circulated to all members. It describes the incident and the measures subsequently taken by the Tunisian Government, and then "reserves the right to have recourse in conformity with the United Nations Charter" to the machinery provided by the Charter. I have no confirmation that the Tunisian representative has in fact requested a meeting of the Security Council. The matter was being discussed this morning in the North Atlantic Council. I have not yet received a full report of the meeting, but I understand that the French representative conveyed certain information to his colleagues.

Her Majesty's Government's support of the International Red Cross is by means of regular gifts which are taken into the general fund of the Red Cross and used as they think best. An International Red Cross team was active in the area at the time and in spite of damage is continuing its services. A special contribution does not appear to be required on this occasion. If the Red Cross were to make a request we would certainly be prepared to consider it further. The House will be aware that various private bodies in this country, such as the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief and the Save the Children Fund, have been active in helping Algerian refugees in Tunisia and Morocco. Indeed, the Tunisian Government have recently expressed to us their gratitude for the work being done by British societies in this way.

My Lords, I regret that this reply does not answer fully part (c) of the noble Viscount's Question; nor does it answer part (d). But I am sure that your Lordships will forgive me if I do not give a full answer to this Question, in view of the lack of notice which I have already mentioned.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

My Lords, by leave of the House only, I may thank the noble Earl, but I would ask him—if necessary I will put down another Question to clear up the matter—whether bombers were supplied by America and whether they have been used in this way. Is there any form of restraint on them? If the noble Earl would consider that, I will put down another Question.

THE EARL OF GOSFORD

My Lords, I do not quite see that it is our responsibility, but in view of the noble Viscount's request for information, I will try to obtain it for him.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

My Lords, we are members of N.A.T.O. These instruments are supplied to members of N.A.T.O., and only to members of N.A.T.O. Are members of N.A.T.O. not entitled to ask to what use they are put?

THE EARL OF GOSFORD

My Lords, I have said that I will try to obtain the information for which the noble Viscount asked, but Her Majesty's Ministers in this House are not necessarily obliged to reply on behalf of N.A.T.O.

House adjourned at four minutes past six o'clock.