HC Deb 13 November 1957 vol 577 cc943-5
37. Major Wall

asked the Minister of Defence whether he will now make a statement about the setting up of a military base organisation in Kenya.

38. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Minister of Defence whether he is now prepared to indicate what arrangements are being made in respect of British defence installations in the Middle East region.

40. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Minister of Defence whether he is in a position to make a statement on the future of the British Middle East Headquarters and British military and air bases in Cyprus.

47. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Minister of Defence what is the Government's decision regarding the establishment of a military base in Kenya.

The Minister of Defence (Mr. Duncan Sandys)

I would refer the hon. Members to the statement I made in the Defence debate last Thursday on this subject.

Major Wall

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his statement did much to restore confidence and stability of Kenya? Will he amplify that statement and say whether he envisages an increase in the naval establishment at Kilindini and whether he has considered the setting up of a Commonwealth as opposed to a purely British strategic reserve in Kenya?

Mr. Sandys

The new arrangements will not involve any increase in the naval base at Kilindini, nor are we planning any Commonwealth reserve in Kenya. I do not think that that issue arises, having regard to all the circumstances.

Mr. Bellenger

Is the Minister going to make a statement about the stores and installations, equipment and so forth—apart from the personnel situation—in addition to the statement that he made a few days ago? It is quite obvious that if he is going to meet with any success in the redeployment of military forces in these areas he will have to take into account the weapons and other equipment they will want if they have to fight a war.

Mr. Sandys

Yes. The purpose of the plan is to have a certain number of additional troops in a convenient spot for reinforcement of other theatres. They will have to have, in Kenya, the equipment and vehicles they need for their own training, but we are not contemplating building up base installations there. Some duplication of their vehicles and other heavy equipment will be held as a war reserve in the theatres where we think they might have to be sent as reinforcements. That is the arrangement.

Mr. Bottomley

Having in mind the fact that in an area like Kenya we have to have a political calm, in view of the present difficulties, does the Minister still feel happy about going on with this arrangement?

Mr. Sandys

I should make it clear—I think that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War made it clear when he wound up the debate a few days ago—that these plans do not envisage the maintenance of large forces in Kenya. I think that my right hon. Friend mentioned one or two battalions, and that is the order of magnitude.

Mr. Stonehouse

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is still a great sense of dismay and confusion in Kenya as to the real meaning behind the statement made by the Minister last Thursday? Can he say up to how many men he is proposing to establish?

Mr. Sandys

I have just said that at the present moment we are thinking in terms of one or two battalions.