§ 22. Mr. Alisonasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations if he will make a statement on the progress of his negotiations regarding the Maldive Islands.
§ Mr. BottomleyThe negotiations for a revision of the Anglo-Maldivian Agreement are progressing favourably, and I hope to be in a position to announce their satisfactory conclusion to the House very shortly.
§ Mr. AlisonWhile thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask him if he can assure us that a satisfactory conclusion will include the safeguarding of our R.A.F. bases at Gan?
§ Mr. BottomleyNegotiations have been confidential and I would not like to reveal the terms at this stage. However, they are satisfactory to us and, we have every reason to believe, to the Maldivian Government.