HC Deb 05 February 1952 vol 495 cc116-7W
104. Mr. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for War why Egyptian Customs duty is added by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes to the price of wines and spirits sold to the British Army in the Canal Zone.

Mr. Head

Customs immunities and privileges for His Majesty's Forces in Egypt are governed by a Convention concluded between His Majesty's Government and the Egyptian Government under the 1936 Treaty of Alliance. This provides for full duty to be paid on wines and spirits imported by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes.

108. Mr. N. Macpherson

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many of the troops in the Canal Zone are not located in places where there are Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes or other facilities for evening recreation and refreshment; and what steps he is taking to improve the facilities.

Mr. Head

As a result of the loss of Egyptian labour, the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes have been forced to suspend their service in 41 of the 85 canteens in the Canal Zone. These 41 canteens are, however, at present being run by Army units who draw their supplies in bulk from N.A.A.F.I. stores. It is hoped that N.A.A.F.I. will soon be able to resume the running of these canteens by sending out volunteers from their staff in this country.

Major-General Feilden, the General Manager, has just flown out to the Canal Zone to expedite these arrangements. Where units during the present operations are temporarily out of reach of the normal canteens, arrangements are made for them to draw bulk supplies from N.A.A.F.I. stores for distribution among the men.

109. Mr. N. Macpherson

asked the Secretary of State for War what meals are issued to the troops in the Canal Zone after tea.

Mr. Head

The daily ration is designed to provide four meals a day and that is normally the practice. If my hon. Friend has some special case in mind, perhaps he would send me details of it.

110. Mr. Renton

asked the Secretary of State for War what percentage of the British troops stationed in the Canal Zone of Egypt are operational troops; and what percentage belong to staffs, Services and units which are non-operational.

Mr. Head

It would not be in the public interest to give this information.

Mr. Emrys

Hughes asked the Secretary of State for War what is his estimate of the increased expenditure on the Army in the Suez Canal area since the request of the Egyptian Government for the withdrawal of British troops.

Mr. Head

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given him by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 30th January.