§ 3. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been the result of the negotiations 817 he has had about the building of new bases in the Indian Ocean for the use of British and South East Asia Treaty Organisation forces.
§ Mr. GreenwoodI have had no such negotiations. What has been under consideration in conjunction with the Americans is the possibility of establishing certain limited facilities in the Indian Ocean. The problems are still being studied and no decisions have yet been reached.
§ Mr. DigbyIs the right hon. Gentleman unaware that the Prime Minister told the House two days ago that an extensive review was being undertaken of our defence commitments in South-East Asia, including the problem of bases? Is the right hon. Gentleman in close touch with those who are involved in this review?
§ Mr. GreenwoodThat is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence. The question to which I have referred is the possibility of increasing communications facilities for joint use in the area.
§ Mr. H. HyndShould not bases in places like Gan, for example, be N.A.T.O. or United Nations bases to avoid this taint of colonialism?
§ Mr. GreenwoodPerhaps my hon. Friend will put any helpful suggestions he has to my right hon. Friend.
§ Sir T. BeamishIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied about the adequacy of the present bases in relation to the operation of the independent British nuclear deterrent east of Suez?
§ Mr. GreenwoodThat is not a matter for my Department.