39. Mr. Astorasked the Prime Minister whether the statement of the Minister of State at Cairo, that the Middle East Supply Centre would disappear after the war, represents the policy of His Majesty's Government.
§ The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)I think my hon. Friend may have been misled by condensed Press reports of what was said by the Minister of State Resident in the Middle East. As regards the future of the Middle East Supply Centre, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on 2nd February.
Mr. AstorWhile I can understand that the Minister's statement may have been misreported by the Press, does the right hon. Gentleman therefore mean that it is the policy of the Government to maintain this useful organisation and that it will not be terminated until an opportunity for a discussion has been given to the House?
§ Mr. AttleeMy hon. Friend can accept the statement made to him by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and no other report affects the position.