§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Prime Minister what information she had about the route of the Iranian Airbus when she made a statement about its shooting down.
§ The Prime MinisterWe were in touch with the United States throughout 3 July and took full account of the information available at the time and of the statements of President Reagan and the chairman of the American joint chiefs of staff.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Prime Minister whether she will publish in theOfficial Report the text of the Government's statement on the shooting down of the Iranian airliner by the United States navy.
§ The Prime MinisterThe statement of 3 July is as follows
The British Government profoundly regret the loss of life on the Iranian airliner and extend their deep sympathy to the bereaved. This has been a tragedy for all concerned.We have been in touch with the United States and they have kept us informed of their investigations.We understand that, in the course of an engagement following an Iranian attack on US forces, warnings were given to an unidentified aircraft apparently closing with a US warship, but these warnings received no response. We fully accept the right of forces engaged in such hostilities to defend themselves.This tragic accident underlines the urgent need for an early end to the Iran/Iraq conflict including an end to all attacks on shipping.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Prime Minister what information was passed to Her Majesty's Government, from British naval vessels operating in the straits of Hormuz, concerning the flight path and altitude of the Iranian Airbus at the time it was shot down.
§ The Prime MinisterThere were no Royal Navy ships in the immediate vicinity and they have no direct information as to the Iranian Airbus's flight path.
§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Prime Minister what contact Her Majesty's Government have had with the United States Government concerning the information received by the USS Vincennes before the Iranian airbus was shot down in order to ensure that similar errors cannot be made by Her Majesty's ships operating in the area.
§ The Prime MinisterWe remain in close touch with the United States and await the results of the naval investigation which they have set in hand. We shall consider carefully whether there are any lessons to be learnt with regard to the operations of the Armilla patrol.