HC Deb 12 December 1956 vol 562 cc409-10
10. Sir T. Moore

asked the Minister of Defence to what extent the United Nations Forces in Egypt are being equipped by British military units now there.

Mr. Birch

I have been asked to reply.

We are doing what we can to meet requests by the United Nations Forces. Rations have already been provided and we are making lorries available.

Sir T. Moore

May we assume from that Answer, therefore, that but for the presence of British and French troops in Egypt the United Nations Force could not even have begun to function properly?

Mr. Birch

It certainly would have suffered very considerable inconvenience.

Mr. Fell

If the United Nations Force is able to use British lorries, why is it that the United Nations Force did not use all the British salvage equipment which is now at the Canal?

Mr. Birch

That is a different question.