§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government what information they have about German activity in Dakar, Casablanca, Mers-el-Kebir and other French naval bases in Africa, and whether enemy submarines are using any of these bases.]
§ LORD MOYNEMy Lords, German activity at French naval bases in Africa is, so far as is known, confined to those on the North and North-west African coasts. It is concentrated in the Delegations of the German Armistice Commission whose total numbers in Morocco, Algeria and Tunis together amount to about 250 persons. Their functions are nominally to supervise the execution of the Armistice terms, including a close control over all shipping. There is no doubt that their activities are as widely extended as they can induce the French authorities to allow. The largest number is in Morocco where the Delegation amounts to over 200. There is; so far as is known, no Delegation of the Armistice Commission at Dakar. His Majesty's Government have no evidence that enemy submarines are using any of these bases.