§ 3.50 p.m.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, as my noble friend Lord Gosford promised the House yesterday afternoon, I am about to make a statement to keep your Lordships informed of the situation in Iraq and the Middle East. The general situation in Baghdad, and in Iraq as a whole, is still obscure, but we have received to-day a message from Her Majesty's Ambassador. I regret to inform the House that it appears from this message that Colonel Graham, the Comptroller of the Household, has been killed and two other members of the Embassy staff injured. The relatives of these two members of the staff are being informed. With these exceptions, all British members of the staff of the Embassy, of the British Council of the British Loan Personnel Iraq and of the Baghdad Pact Secretariat are, as far as can be ascertained, safe and well. The Embassy buildings in Baghdad have been looted and the residence of the Ambassador burned out. The buildings are now guarded by troops with members of the British staff in occupation. There is no report of any injury to members of the British community in Baghdad.
The Iraq Petroleum Company has had news from Kirkuk that all is well and operations are proceeding as usual. Basra, too, is quiet and operations there continue. There is no change in the situation at Habbaniya. Her Majesty's Ambassador has requested assurances regarding the protection of British lives and property. Her Majesty's Government are also arranging for the authorities at present in control in Baghdad to be informed that Her Majesty's Government protest vigorously against the destruction of Her Majesty's Embassy and the treatment of its staff, and hold them responsible for the safety of British lives and property. There is still no reliable news of the whereabouts of King Feisal, the Crown Prince and Nuri Said.
I wish now to refer to the Lebanon. United States forces are landing at Beirut this afternoon, at the request of the President of the Lebanon. The Security Council is also meeting this afternoon, at the request of the United States Government, to discuss the situation. The President has issued a statement giving the reasons for the United States action.
1053 Her Majesty's Government have been in close consultation with the United States Government throughout the present crisis. They were informed in advance of the United States Government's intentions. They believe that the United States action is necessary to preserve the independence and integrity of the Lebanon in this very uncertain situation. This action has Her Majesty's Government's full support. British troops are not taking part in this operation. British forces in the area have, however, been alerted.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Earl the Leader of the House for giving us the information with regard to the situation in Iraq. I am sure that the House will desire to express its sympathy with the family of Colonel Graham and the families of those who have been injured. I notice that it is said that those who still remain there are protected by troops. Are these the troops who have revolted?—I gather that that is so. I take it, therefore, that the Government will continue to make urgent requests to the people concerned about the protection of British lives.
Tae statement goes on to deal with a different question, about which at the present moment I cannot know very much—and that is, the action which has been taken to-day by the United States authorities in sending troops into the Lebanon. We have no knowledge of any word of the statement which, it is said, President Eisenhower has issued explaining the reasons for this action. However, I observe that the matter is coming before the Security Council today. I think that a request will be made in another place this afternoon for a very early debate, possibly to-morrow, and although there may be views to express about the situation in the Lebanon, I do not propose to pursue the matter further this afternoon.
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, I ant obliged to the noble Viscount. It is true that our people are now protected by troops that have revolted. Of course, the extent of the revolution and what areas of the country the rebels now control are still uncertain. It will be for the other place to arrange its Business, but perhaps we in your Lordships' House could keep in touch through the usual channels.