§ Mr. Shinwellasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Defence whether any progress has yet been made with the project of Middle East Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
§ Mr. BirchDiscussions are continuing satisfactorily with other Governments concerned on the basis of proposals circulated by Her Majesty's Government in August. The proposals, which included suggestions for the setting up of a planning group for a Middle East Defence Organisation, were sent to the Governments of the United States, France, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. I am not in a position to make any statement about the discussions at this stage.