§ 11. Mr. F. M. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will make a statement about the future of the United Kingdom Prospect Garrison stationed in Bermuda.
§ Mr. HareWe are reviewing all the Army's overseas commitments, and I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement about any particular overseas garrison.
§ Mr. BennettWhen the Minister considers this Question, will he please bear in mind, most seriously, that this small garrison in Bermuda should not be looked at only in the light of its military or strategic value? Bermuda is an island intensely loyal to this country, but already perforce looks towards America in its economy, and its defence is largely carried out by the United States. Hence would it not be very wrong and foolish further to weaken its symbolic ties with this country, more particularly as only recently Admiralty House, which has been there for over a couple of centuries in what was one of our oldest naval outposts overseas, was removed? If what I have said does not convince my right hon. Friend, will he further bear in mind the folly of risking weakening any further our ties with a country that contributes one-tenth annually of all the dollars into the sterling area, much to the benefit of this country?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. Surely we have spent enough time on this Question.