§ Lieut.-Commander FLETCHERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty to what expenditure this country is committed in connection with the decision of the Government of South Africa to develop a 464W considerable naval base at Cape Town; and whether any undertaking exists whereby this country when at war will be assured of the unrestricted use of African ports under the control of the South African Government?
Lord STANLEYI am not aware that any decision has been taken by His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa to develop a naval base at Cape Town. As regards the second part of the question an agreement was made with the Union Government in 1921 in regard to the use of the naval base at Simonstown.