HC Deb 25 January 1956 vol 548 cc23-4W
59. Mr. G. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many tanks sold to private dealers as scrap during each of the past five years were subsequently shipped to the Middle East.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

The hon. Member will have read the White Paper on the Export of Surplus War Material which was published on 19th January. I have no information apart from that contained in the White Paper that tanks sold to private dealers during the past five years have subsequently been shipped to the Middle East.

61. Mr. E. L. Mallalieu

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what information was received by Her Majesty's Government from the Belgian Government or from other sources in Belgium in July, August or September last, as to the export to Egypt of used British tanks.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

On 21st July, Her Majesty's Government were informed by the Belgian Government that they had issued a licence for the export from Belgium to Egypt of 100 demilitarised Valentines, which the Belgians described as tanks, bought in the United Kingdom. No other information was received during these months either from the Belgian Government or from other sources in Belgium.