HC Deb 18 January 1967 vol 739 cc396-7
3. Rear-Admiral Morgan Giles

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what total reductions of forces in the Far East are planned by 5th April, 1967, and by 5th April, 1968.

Mr. Healey

At the moment I have firm plans for bringing home at least 10,000 men, most of whom will have returned to this country by 5th April, 1967. I cannot yet give a similar firm forecast for April, 1968.

Rear-Admiral Morgan Giles

Were the right hon. Gentleman's plans for this year's reductions agreed beforehand with the Australian Government?

Mr. Healey

Yes. As the hon. and gallant Gentleman will know, the then Foreign Secretary and I explained our plans in great detail to the Australian Government almost exactly one year ago.

Mr. Barnett

Will the plans reduce by 1970 the total of £2,000 million at 1964 prices as set out in the Defence Review of 1966?

Mr. Healey

These plans were calculated in relation to the Defence Review target of £2,000 million at 1964 prices for the financial year 1969–70.

Sir A. V. Harvey

How is the 10,000 allocated among the three Services? How does the figure of 10,000 out of the total of about 60,000 square up with the Prime Minister's statement that massive withdrawals would take place?

Mr. Healey

I made it clear that this is not the end of the road, but these first 10,000 are primarily teeth arms and immediately supporting units of the Army, although some naval and air forces are also involved.

Mr. Frank Allaun

How are the remaining men to be employed—in playing bingo? Would it not be better to bring them home and employ them usefully in British industry?

Mr. Healey

I do not know whether my hon. Friend thinks that they should be producing bingo machines. All these men who are in the Far East at present are usefully employed in supporting the foreign policy and the defence policy of Her Majesty's Government, but I expect to be able to reduce their number further over the coming year.

Mr. Powell

Is the Secretary of State seriously suggesting—or is he still in this absurd, hilarious mood—that the next tasks for British industry under his Administration are the making of bingo machines?

Mr. Healey

If the right hon. Gentleman seriously thinks that I was suggesting that, he should think a little harder next time.

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