HC Deb 24 November 1958 vol 596 cc5-6W
65. Mr. Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the shooting and death of Mrs. Christopher Doran, wife of the British Air Attaché in Israel.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

According to the report of the military observers of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation Mrs. Doran's body was found on the 19th of November in Israel territory near the frontier with Syria just north of the Sea of Galilee. She had been shot. Footprints were found leading to the river Jordan. Mrs. Doran was spending a holiday at the Italian hospice on the Mount of Beatitudes about eight miles from the frontier.

The Israel Government have submitted a formal complaint to the Israel-Syrian Mixed Armistice Commission, alleging that Syrians were responsible for Mrs. Doran's death. The Commission will consider this complaint on the basis of the report from the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation's observers. I am awaiting the findings of this inquiry.

I have expressed to Wing Commander Doran my sympathy over this tragic occurrence.