§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether United States' supplies of explosives for military purposes are being exported from British ports ; and, if so, what is their destination.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE (LORD CARRINGTON)My Lords, the shipment of American explosives through British ports is part of the routine turnover of stocks. The noble Lord may have in mind the recent movement of a quantity of explosives from the United Kingdom to Zeebrugge, which I understand were later diverted to South East Asia.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I will not say "Thank you". I should like to ask whether it is not a fact that a large number of American explosives are being exported from Sheerness ; that the dockers are getting danger pay ; and that there is local controversy about lorries loaded with bombs going through the narrow streets. May I ask the noble Lord whether the same situation applied to Lowestoft earlier ; and whether the Government can give an assurance, in view of the very doubtful reply about South East Asia, that these explosives are not being used in the criminal bombing of North Vietnam?
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, these are American stores and the American forces are entitled to use them to meet their own needs, provided that 510 within our country they comply with our safety requirements.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, the noble Lord has not answered my questions.