HC Deb 11 February 1953 vol 511 cc393-4
14. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what Government in the Middle East have recently been approached by him with a view to arranging British military bases in their countries.

Mr. Nutting

None, Sir.

Mr. Hughes

Does that mean that if we leave Egypt the soldiers will be brought home?

Mr. Nutting

That Question has already appeared on the Order Paper. It has not been asked, so perhaps the hon. Gentleman will study the answer tomorrow in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Hughes

Can the Minister tell us of any country in the Middle East that wants a big British base there, and will he say, if the Middle East is not prepared to take a base, whether it would not be better in the Middle West?

Mr. Nutting

As the hon. Gentleman knows, we have already certain treaty rights with Iraq and with Jordan, under which British Forces are stationed on their territories. I take it from the fact that we continue to exercise those Treaty rights that those Forces are welcome as protection to those countries.