§ 10. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Secretary of State for War what is the weekly sum he is now spending on Cyprus; and his proposals for economy.
§ Mr. HareThe extra weekly cost of maintaining British soldiers at present stationed in Cyprus in that theatre instead of in the United Kingdom is about £85,000. Any economy must depend on developments in Cyprus and, in particular, the restoration of internal security.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware that there might have been another £85,000 cost a week if his hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State had had his way? Could he persuade his hon. Friend to use his powerful influence in the Government to get our troops removed from Cyprus, because, with our commitments in Jordan having gone—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."1 —and with Cyprus being comparatively useless as a base, the time has come to reconsider its liquidation as a base?
§ Mr. HareThe hon. Member's assumptions are always very difficult to follow, and this one is particularly difficult to follow. All I can say is that the troops are doing a good job of work there, and 186 have been extremely successful in the last six months in their operations against the terrorists.