COLLUSION CHARGE

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28155, 19 December 1956, Page 15

COLLUSION CHARGE

Attlee Seeks Answer (Rec 11 p.m.) LONDON, December 18 Earl Attlee, former Labour Prime Minister, today complained that no satisfactory answer had been given tc the charge of Anglo-French collusion with Israel concerning the recent Israeli military operation against Egypt. In a letter published in “The Times.” Lord Attlee urged the Prime Minister (Sir Anthony Eden) to put an end to the uncertainty created by this charge.

“During Sir Anthony Eden’s absence, repeated requests have been made to his colleagues in both Houses of Parliament for a clear statement ab to whether the British or French Governments knew in advance of the forthcoming Israeli attack on Egypt and whether the two Governments, prior to October 29. discussed the proposal for military intervention in that event,” the letter said.

“No satisfactory answer has so far been given. Yet the world-wide rumours on this subject are so author!tative and persistent as to affect the reputation of Her Majesty’s Government and so to prejudice the position of this country in future international negotiations.

“Now that the Prime Minister is back, the country may reasonably ask that he should put an end without delay to an uncertainty which cannot fail to be damaging to the national interest.” Lord Attlee said.