§ 27. Dr. Strossasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether he will make a statement on the extent of the thieving by natives in the Suez Canal Zone, and the methods used to protect the military installations.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence (Mr. Nigel Birch)Security measures have led to a reduction in pilferage. Installations are protected by guards and patrols and by wire.
§ Dr. StrossWould it be reasonable to say that the installations are fairly well protected but that there is constant need to be aware of depredations by stealing, and that quite a large number of thieves are apprehended?
§ Mr. BirchPilfering from the Canal Zone base is a well-established local industry, but the situation has improved recently. We have had stronger guards and better co-operation from the Egyptian police.
§ Mr. ShinwellCan the hon. Gentleman inform the House what is the actual value of the goods pilfered? This has been going on for a long time and I know that efforts have been made to stop it.
§ Mr. BirchI could not give that figure without notice, and I rather doubt if it could be given at all The number of losses is very small.
§ Mr. ShinwellSurely the hon. Gentleman is not telling the House that the number of losses is small since he has just said that this is a local industry? Surely he is well aware of the fact that many hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of goods have been lost in this way? Why is he not frank with the House?
§ Mr. BirchI have not got the figures but, if the right hon. Gentleman will put down a Question, I will do my best to answer it although I doubt if it would be possible to give any definite figures.