HC Deb 14 November 1938 vol 341 c498
67. Mr. Cary

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has any precise information to give the House in regard to any extension of facilities at Simonstown for the British Fleet?

Colonel Llewellin

No, Sir. Some additional facilities at Simonstown have already been decided on and others are under consideration, but I am sure my hon. Friend will appreciate that it is not in the public interest to give precise information of this kind regarding any naval dockyards.

Mr. Cary

In view of the fact that the South African Government has stated that there will now be a sincere discharge of its commitments at Simonstown under the Smuts-Churchill Agreement, may I ask my hon. Friend whether constructional work on a substantial scale has already begun at Simonstown?

Colonel Llewellin

I cannot add anything to the answer I have already given.

Mr. Thorne

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman trying to make the House believe that the Germans and Italians do not know where these dockyards are?

Colonel Llewellin

I did not imply that, but foreign countries do not know the precise details.