§ 3. Mr. Bennasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the estimated value of the naval stores held at the Suez Canal base at the latest convenient date; whether he has any information about the situation that has developed since then at that base; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. WardThe estimated value of naval stores held at the Suez Canal base on 31st October last was £13,000; in addition 23,500 tons of oil fuel valued at £164,500 was held at Port Said. The naval stores were held at Tel-el-Kebir, which is outside the area occupied by the Anglo-French forces. I have no further information about the situation which has developed there.
925 Details of the Admiralty oil fuel depot are not yet available but no report of extensive damage to our fuel installations at Port Said has been received.
§ Mr. BennHas the Minister consulted the legal experts in his Department to ascertain whether, when armed conflict breaks out between two countries, the property of the armed forces of one of those countries located in the other country is able lawfully to be seized? Will he please make a statement to the House?
§ Mr. CallaghanQuite apart from a question of stores, were any British personnel associated with the safeguarding of these stores? If so, has the hon. Gentleman any news about them?
Mr. WardThere were no naval staff there. There were civilian contractors under War Office arrangements.
§ Mr. CallaghanCan the hon. Gentleman say what has happened to them?
Mr. WardNo, I cannot. Perhaps the hon. Member would address that question to the Secretary of State for War.