HC Deb 29 July 1957 vol 574 cc105-7W
59. Major Wall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what discussions have taken place with the United States Government regarding military activity in Muscat and Oman.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

On 19th July Her Majesty's Ambassador in Washington, on my instructions, discussed the situation with the American Secretary of State explaining that the Sultan of Muscat and Oman had appealed to Her Majesty's Government for help. The United States Government have been kept informed of the decisions subsequently taken by Her Majesty's Government. This has been done both in Washington and in London, where I have discussed the situation with the United States Ambassador. The American Government have issued a statement explaining that they have been kept informed by us and expressing the hape that present difficulties can be resolved quickly.

63. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reports he has received of the anti-British propaganda broadcasts, on behalf of the Imam of Oman, from Dhahran in Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I have received no reports of anti-British propaganda broadcasts from Dhahran on behalf of the Imam of Oman.

67. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he now has further information about the arms supplied to the rebels in Oman.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

I have nothing to add to my previous statements on this subject.

71. Mr. Teeing

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the wounding of Colonel William Cheeseman, Commander of the Field Forces of the Sultan of Muscat, was first communicated to his children, aged 14 and 12, by a reporter of the national Press and later in the same way to his wife; and whether his Department will take steps to inform relatives of British subjects, casualties in the present conflict, before the national Press.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

The relatives of any British subject who sustains serious injury will of course be informed as soon as possible. In the case of a member of the British forces this would be done through normal service channels. Colonel Cheeseman, however, is employed by the Sultan of Muscat. He was in fact only very slightly wounded in the left elbow by a bullet splinter. In view of this and of the fact that normal civil telegraphic facilities are available in Muscat, no official intimation to Colonel Cheeseman's relatives through Consular channels was considered necessary.