§ 30. Mr. Fenner Brockwayasked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on the negotiations with the Prime Minister of Ceylon on the use of the bases at Trincomalee and Katunayake.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Lord John Hope)I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 11th December to the Question asked by the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. Rankin).
§ Mr. BrockwayI have read the terms of that reply. Has not the hon. Gentleman now some further statement to make in the matter? Can he particularly say whether alternative bases are being sought at Mombasa and Dar-es-Salaam in East Africa and, if so, whether the local population will be consulted.
§ Lord John HopeThis matter is still the subject of discussion between the two Governments. So far as Ceylon is concerned, I would rather say nothing more at the moment.