§ 44. Mr. Bellengerasked the Minister of Defence whether he has noted the deficiencies in the conduct of war-like operations in Egypt disclosed in the despatch of the Commander-in-Chief, Allied Forces; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SandysCertain specific points are being studied; but I do not accept the right hon. Gentleman's implied criticism of the conduct of the operations. I am 946 glad of this opportunity to make it clear that the Government are fully satisfied with the way in which the Chiefs of Staff, the Commander-in-Chief and the Service authorities at all levels discharged their duties.
§ Mr. BellengerIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that my Question referred to the despatch of the Commander-in-Chief himself? I recognise that the right hon. Gentleman was not in the position of Minister of Defence then, but is it not obvious from that despatch that if the Egyptian forces had acted in any offensive or war-like spirit there would have been disaster among the British forces alone engaged in the operation? Under those circumstances, why does the Minister take such a complacent attitude about this despatch?
§ Mr. SandysI do not take a complacent attitude. All I said was that I did not accept the implication that the military operations had been conducted in a faulty manner.
§ Mr. PagetAs the right hon. Gentleman seems to consider that from a military point of view this operation was perfect, may we take it that the Suez arrangement will serve as a model for future operations?
§ Mr. SandysI have no doubt that it will be studied by military historians in years to come.