HC Deb 20 November 1957 vol 578 cc364-5
7. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Minister of Defence why equipment was allowed to deteriorate as mentioned in the despatch of the Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces concerning the operations in Egypt.

Mr. Sandys

The deterioration was due to the length of time the equipment had to remain in the ships. This equipment was loaded as part of the precautionary measures which the Government decided to take after the seizure of the Suez Canal by Egypt.

Mr. Bellenger

Surely there should have been closer liaison between the Chiefs of Staff and the Defence Committee to obviate this deterioration when, in effect, the forces were being held in readiness for what eventually became a military operation? If this equipment is to be carried into the future, surely the right hon. Gentleman sees that his own defence efforts will be rendered practically nugatory if we have to undertake such operations again?

Mr. Sandys

With time most things deteriorate. All that the report said was that after a period of time it was necessary to take these vehicles and other equipment off the ships and, among other matters, to recharge the batteries and so on, which was a natural thing to do. That is not a grave reflection on the organisation. All it shows is that the equipment and vehicles were put on in very good time, and that the need to use them did not arise before the time when they had to be unloaded and refitted and recharged.

8. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will make a statement on the specific organisational, tactical and technical matters forming the subject matter of the separate recommendations of the Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces in connection with the operations in Egypt.

Mr. Sandys

These detailed recommendations for the conduct of limited war operations are being carefully studied by the Service authorities concerned.

Mr. Bellenger

All I am asking is whether, in view of the rather serious deficiencies shown in the despatch which has been published, the right hon. Gentleman can, without prejudicing security or the national interest, say anything more about the separate memorandum attached to the despatch?

Mr. Sandys

In the main it contained recommendations of a general character, and the opinions and advice of General Keightley about the conduct of limited war operations of a general kind for the future. I do not think they would be appropriate for publication. They are in the nature of advice from serving officers to the Service Departments and the Chiefs of Staff.

Mr. Shinwell

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman a question? Surely he detected in General Keightley's despatch some grave criticisms of defence preparations preceding the Suez affair? Can he say who in the Defence Department and Service Departments were responsible for those defects, and whether any disciplinary action was taken or is contemplated?

Mr. Sandys

I have already answered a Question on that precise subject put to me, last week I think, by the right hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger).

Mr. Shinwell

I do not know anything about that Answer. Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to furnish me and other hon. Members with the Answer? Is he taking any action against those who were, according to the criticisms made by General Keightley, responsible for the defects?

Mr. Sandys

I will send the right hon. Gentleman a copy of the reply.

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