§ 59. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that in the port of Massawa, recommended for allocation to Ethiopia by the United Nations General Assembly of 1950, the British authorities have dismantled and removed the arsenal, the cement works, and the large cranes, and have demolished or sold for demolition the petrol containers for refuelling ships and cars, the offices and warehouses of 5W the port authorities and the dwellings of the port personnel; and whether he will give instructions that all demolition, removal and sale of property by the British authorities in Eritrea shall cease.
§ Mr. NuttingI think the hon. Member is confusing the commercial port of Massawa with the former naval base nearby. It was decided in 1947 to demolish the naval base, which had ceased to operate in 1945 and was falling into disrepair and costing the British Administration a great deal of money to maintain.
It has not for a considerable time been our policy to sell or demolish any State assets in the commercial port. The British authorities have not disposed of any of its cranes, nor have they sold or demolished petrol installations, offices or warehouses of the port authorities, or official dwellings of port personnel, except in one case where an unoccupied building became a danger to the public. The cement works are a private undertaking and are of no concern to the British authorities. They have in any case not operated for many years.