§ 12. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many of Her Majesty's ships have used the Simonstown naval base in the last three years.
§ Mr. MayhewFive frigates, four submarines, an icebreaker, and a Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The frigates each spent 16 weeks at Simonstown for maintenance and repairs. The icebreaker and the R.F.A. also undertook maintenance and repairs there.
§ Mr. DigbyWhile expressing relief that the future use of this base seems to be more assured, may I ask whether it is not a fact that those figures are not a true reflection of its importance, as there are no other dockyard facilities on the route round the Cape?
§ Mr. MayhewIf the hon. Gentleman wished for figures and facts on that particular point, he should have asked for them.
§ 13 and 20. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what steps he is taking to establish an alternative base to that at Simonstown;
(2) what estimate has been made of the cost of establishing in the South Atlantic or the Indian Ocean a naval base to replace the facilities now available at Simonstown.
§ Mr. HealeyThere is no question of our losing the facilities we enjoy under the Simonstown Agreement.
§ Mr. HamiltonDoes not my right hon. Friend think it reprehensible that this country should be dependent on the good will of a quite reactionary Nazi-type régime such as exists in South Africa? Is it not the case that the military advice that my right hon. Friend gets is against the suggestion that this is so vital to our defence programme? If so, would not my right hon. Friend think again of looking for alternative bases where we have not got to depend on this kind of régime?
§ Mr. HealeyThis base is of considerable value to the Royal Navy and, as I said before, we have no intention of seeking to abandon it.
§ Mr. AtkinsDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree that the only possible alternative to Simonstown is vastly to increase the tremendously expensive fleet train?
§ Mr. HealeyNo.
§ Sir Rolf Dudley WilliamsDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that he has tremendous sympathy from this side of the House in having to resist the remarks that are made by the hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton)? Is he aware that we also sympathise with him in having to deal with South Africa on this important topic, in view of the irritation caused to that country by the Prime Minister himself?
§ Mr. HealeyI think the hon. Gentleman's expressions of sympathy are misplaced and unrequired.
§ 19. Sir W. Anstruther-Grayasked the Secretary of State for Defence what consultation he has had with the Australian Government over the defence aspect in the Far East of the Simonstown Agreement.
§ Mr. HealeyNone, Sir.
§ Sir W. Anstruther-GrayWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that in any consideration he may be giving to the position of Simonstown he should make sure to take the Australian Government into the closest possible consideration?
§ Mr. HealeyThe right hon. Gentleman knows that the Simonstown Agree- 14 ment is a bilateral agreement, but of course in any consideration of the Simonstown base we take into account the needs of Commonwealth countries, indeed of all countries with which we are in defence relationship.