§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government if they will make a statement on the further situation arising from international incidents which led to the forced landing of the B.O.A.C. aeroplane at Benghazi.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIAN)As your Lordships will be aware, a B.O.A.C. 'plane on a scheduled flight was forced to land at Benghazi by the Libyan authorities early yesterday morning. The Libyans had threatened to blow the 'plane out of the sky if the pilot did not obey their instructions. When the 'plane landed the Libyan authorities instructed two Sudanese citizens who were aboard to disembark. When it was made clear to them that, if they refused, the safety of the other passengers would be at risk, they left the 'plane, which then returned to London with the remaining passengers.
Her Majesty's Government take a very serious view of this incident, and the Minister of State summoned the Libyan Ambassador as soon as he had received a report of what took place and told him that the action taken by the Libyan authorities had been outrageous. He demanded that the two Sudanese who had been removed from the 'plane should be released at once and made it clear that we expected an apology from the Libyan Government for their inexcusable behaviour, which was bound to have a serious effect of our relations with Libya.
1280 The present situation in the Sudan is confused. My latest information is that General Nimeri has resumed control but that there has been further firing around the Presidential Palace this morning. However, I should like to make it clear that the success or failure of the recent coup in the Sudan is totally irrelevant to the substance of our complaint against the Libyan Government. We regard it as intolerable that a British 'plane should be forced to land in the circumstances I have described, and that passengers, of whatever standing and of whatever nationality, should be removed from the 'plane under threats. Her Majesty's Government will take energetic action to secure the early rease of the two Sudanese concerned.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for his Answer, may I ask whether he is aware that there will be agreement on all sides of the House regarding the seriousness of this incident? May I ask him these further questions for information, and not in a partisan way? First, has there been any investigation of the Libyan statement that the 'plane was brought to Benghazi because the Khartoum airport was closed? Can the noble Marquess give us any information regarding the negotiations with Malta, which first agreed to take the 'plane but subsequently declined to do so? Can he, on the last point that he made, continue the utmost pressure for the release of Colonel al-Nur and his projected Prime Minister, in view of the fact that they were arrested on a British 'plane and surrendered in order to save the lives of other passengers?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I can certainly assure the noble Lord that we will make the most strenuous efforts to secure the release of these two gentleman, as indeed we should have done whoever they are.
Regarding the situation of the Malta air traffic control, it is not quite clear at the moment exactly what happened, and I do not think it would be right for the House to jump to any conclusions about this. It appears possible that there was a genuine mistake and that the 'plane was still in Libyan air space at the time, but I should not like to go any further than that at the moment because the situation is not quite clear and we are 1281 trying to find out exactly what did happen.
Regarding the Libyan statement about the airport at Khartoum, the House must realise that so far the Libyans have not even admitted that the two Sudanese were taken off the 'plane at Benghazi. So we cannot place very much reliance on what they tell us about the situation in the Sudan.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, Parliament has on many occasions expressed its deep concern and abhorrence at hijacking, and I hope the noble Lord will agree that this is perhaps one of the most scandalous acts in that, clearly, it has been conducted by a Government of a sovereign Power. While recognising that the noble Marquess is unable to make a statement in regard to the position in Malta, it would appear from Press reports that there may have been connivance between the air authorities in Malta and the Libyan authorities. If that is not the case, would the noble Marquess undertake, in one way or another, to make a statement or to give the House information on the matter? Quite clearly, the confidence of airline operators and passengers is involved.
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANCertainly, my Lord. I should like to say in reply that at this stage, there is no indication that there was any connivance; but I certainly undertake to keep the House informed.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I was very careful in the phrasing of my supplementary question. I was referring to the reports, from which it is clearly indicated that there was connivance. If there was no connivance, in fairness to the Maltese authorities, a statement should be made in Parliament on the actual position.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, quite apart from what may result from further investigation, would Her Majesty's Government express to B.O.A.C. their admiration and thanks for the conduct and calm judgment of the captain and crew of this aircraft?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I am very grateful to the noble Lord. Of course I will undertake to do that.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, have Her Majesty's Government any intention to by-pass Libyan airspace until the security of passengers travelling by British aeroplanes can be assured?
§ THE MARQUESS OF LOTHIANMy Lords, I can assure the House that we shall be very careful in this regard until we find out exactly what the facts of the case were. It is a very serious case.