§ 48. Mr. Gammansasked the Minister of Defence what priority is being given to the delivery of armaments to Pakistan in views of the fact that Pakistan received only, approximately, one-quarter of the war stores specified under the Partition Agreement.
§ Mr. AlexanderConsiderable quantities of defence stores have been, and are 427 being, made available to Pakistan. The rate of delivery depends on the availability of stocks or the level of production.
§ Mr. GammansBut is not any priority being given to Pakistan in view of the fact that Pakistan did not receive a proportion of the old Indian Army stores which it was agreed she should have under the partition, and for the distribution of which this country has real responsibility?
§ Mr. AlexanderI do not think that this country has responsibility for the administration of the agreement between two Dominions. In any case a Question under that head should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations. As regards priority, we have demands for help of this kind from all over the Commonwealth and other parts of the world, but we deal faithfully and honestly with every case upon its merits.
§ Mr. GammansIs it not a fact that the Government have been asked by the Government of Pakistan to give them priority for the reason indicated in this question?
§ Mr. AlexanderI have nothing to add to my answer.
§ Sir R. RossIs it not a fact that the Government of Pakistan are responsible for one of the most disturbed areas in the world—the North-West Frontier—and that they have come out of the agreement as regards armaments much worse than the Government of India, although they have this dangerous area to control, and will the Minister sympathetically consider any requests that come his way?
§ Mr. AlexanderI have already said that we have been, and are supplying substantial quantities of arms to Pakistan, and I have said that every application coming in from the Dominions is dealt with on its merits. I cannot add to that.