§ 2.54 p.m.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, I beg to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any progress has been made as a result of the African Defence Facilities Conference, and which nations have accepted its recommendations.]
§ THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE (EARL ALEXANDER OF TUNIS)My Lords, as the noble Lord, Lord Ogmore, who was Chairman of the Conference, will know, the African Defence Facilities Conference was convened by the United Kingdom and the Union of South Africa to consider the facilities that would be required for the movement of troops and military supplies between the South of Africa and the Middle East in time of war. The Report of the Conference has been accepted by the Governments of the United Kingdom, Union of South Africa, Southern Rhodesia and Italy. Acceptance is awaited from the Governments of Belgium, Ethiopia, France and Portugal. 401 We are unable to take the matter further until all Governments which participated in the Conference have indicated their attitude to the Report. We are, however, in consultation with the Union Government, as joint conveners, on further steps to be taken.
§ LORD OGMOREI am grateful to the noble Earl for his answer to my Question.