HC Deb 20 November 1957 vol 578 c361
5. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the Minister of Defence the cost of the recent combined military operations in Oman.

Mr. Sandys

The best estimate available for the costs of these military operations is about £270,000.

Mr. Hughes

Can the Minister tell us whether the expenditure is being continued and whether the soldiers and the Air Force are still in the neighbourhood? Does not he think that he could make some arrangement by which he could collect this rather substantial sum from the oil companies instead of it having to be paid by the taxpayer?

Mr. Sandys

I do not think that is a large sum to pay for establishing confidence in Britain's word throughout Arabia and the Persian Gulf.

Major Wall

Will my right hon. Friend make it clear that, whatever the cost, Britain intends to support her friends and allies in that part of the world?

Mr. Sandys

I think that deeds speak for themselves.