HC Deb 27 April 1948 vol 450 c204
41. Mr. William Wells

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will make a statement regarding the re-organisation of the Middle East Land Forces Command.

Mr. Shinwell

Headquarters Middle East Land Forces, now centred at Fayid in the Canal Zone, will be responsible for policy and will retain operational command. Matters of administration will be dealt with by two subordinate Commands direct with the War Office; one, "Eastern Mediterranean Command," will include all land Forces in Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, Malta and North Africa; and the other, "East Africa Command," will include all land Forces from Somaliland to the Zambesi.

Mr. Keeling

May we take rather absurd application of Middle East to Egypt, which is East, will now be dropped?

Mr. Shinwell

If it is necessary to drop anything, we shall do it.

Mr. Stanley

Does that apply to bricks?

Mr. Shinwell

Of which, since this Government came in, there has been an ample supply.