§ Sir W. DAVISONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether adequate protection has been 2567W or will be provided for the safeguarding of the valuable oilfields in Sarawak; and whether the question of providing oil storage for the Navy in Sarawak rather than at Singapore has been considered?
§ Mr. AMMONThe Sarawak oilfields are East of 110 degrees of longitude; they are therefore subject to thestatus quo Clauses of Article XIX of the Washington Treaty, and no coast defences or fortifications can be established in peace time. They would, therefore, rely primarily for their defence on the presence of the British Fleet. As regards the second part of the question, Sarawak is not a suitable position for oil fuel storage for the Fleet.