HC Deb 12 December 1956 vol 562 c406
4. Major Wall

asked the Minister of Defence whether, in view of recent events in the Middle East, he will see that an adequate number of landing ships and craft are kept at a high degree of readiness.

Mr. Birch

I have been asked to reply.

Yes, Sir, but there are limits to what we can afford.

Major Wall

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that if the landing at Port Said had taken a shorter time than it did the present situation might be quite different? Does he not agree that the eight days taken from Malta to Port Said could be partially due to the fact that the landing ships had been put into care and maintenance immediately after the end of the Second World War? If a larger number had been kept in a higher state of reserve, might not history have been rather different?

Mr. Birch

I doubt whether the time taken would have been any different.

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