HC Deb 27 April 1966 vol 727 cc690-1
29. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Secretary of State for Defence for what purpose Land Rovers and other vehicles are now being specially prepared and overtime and weekend work being worked thereon at the Vehicle Recovery Depôt at Feltham in connection with the shipment of these vehicles to Dar-es-Salaam.

Mr. Reynolds

The vehicles now being prepared for shipment to Dar-es-Salaam are a consignment that has been sold to the Tanzanian Government through the Crown Agents. Overtime being worked at the Central Vehicle Depôt is not directly connected with these vehicles.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

If those 50 Land Rovers and military vehicles are going to be used in connection with any military operations in Rhodesia, should not the Government say so now and so put the public in a position to know what they are really intended for?

Mr. Reynolds

The hon. Gentleman does not appear to have listened to my original reply. These vehicles have been sold to the Tanzanian Government as part of a general export drive, and we want to deliver them as quickly as we can.