§ 7. Mr. Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what help he has given to the new Ghana Government in the provision of uniforms, webbing equipment, and spare parts for military vehicles.
§ 17. Sir G. de Freitasasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will give to the Ghana Government such military equipment surplus to the needs of the Territorial Army as is necessary to maintain the Ghana Army at the standard which it reached at the time of Ghanaian independence.
§ Mr. BottomleyWe are anxious to give the Ghana Government any help we can, and have considered carefully and with much sympathy their request for help in providing military equipment. We have, however, come to the conclusion that, owing to the overriding need for economy in all forms of Government expenditure, we are unable to comply with it. General 1416 Ankrah has been informed accordingly by our High Commissioner, and I am informed that the Ghana Army has now made arrangements to obtain most of these supplies from elsewhere.
§ Mr. TilneyConsidering that the Territorial Army is being reduced to virtually half and that 19 Territorial armoured regiments are being reduced to one in an armoured role, surely some spares and some equipment could be made available?
§ Mr. BottomleyThat may be so, but the cost involved has to be met from somewhere and this additional expenditure would fall on the British Government.
§ Sir G. de FreitasWill my right hon. Friend reconsider this and, in any reconsideration, will he remember that my Question refers to the level of arms and equipment of the Ghana Army 10 years ago and not to any increase in the power of the army?
§ Mr. BottomleyNo, I am afraid that, as I have said, in view of the present economic situation there is no opportunity for me to review the matter.
§ Sir F. BennettMay we have further clarification? If some of this equipment which is required is surplus to requirements, what possible cost across the exchanges would be involved? Is it not a matter of simply running down the stocks in this country?
§ Mr. BottomleyThe problem no longer exists. The Ghana Government themselves have taken the opportunity of getting the supplies they want in this respect locally.