§ 13. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Defence if he will state the expenditure on new works completed in the Cyprus Sovereign Base areas since the new Defence Plan was published; and what is the proposed further expenditure there.
§ The Minister of Defence (Mr. Peter Thorneycroft)£13.5 million, plus £4 million on new works approved to date.
§ Mr. AllaunIf, as is well known, the number of British troops is diminishing there, why are the Government spending millions on new military works? Secondly, would the Minister give the House an assurance that there is no connection with a nuclear or rocket base on the island?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThe money is being spent to build accommodation for troops either there or planned to be there.
§ Mr. AllaunWould the Minister answer the second part of my supplementary question? Will he give the House an assurance that there is no connection with nuclear or rocket bases on the island?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThese are barracks and accommodation for our Air Force and for the ground troops stationed 62 there. I would certainly give no assurance as between nuclear and conventional weapons.