§ 51. Mr. Henigasked the Secretary of State for Defence what are his latest estimates for the foreign exchange costs, net of offsets, of British forces stationed 431 abroad, and the foreign exchange earnings, net of offset, from foreign forces stationed in this country, respectively, in 1966.
§ Mr. HealeyThe latest estimate for 1966–67 of foreign exchange costs of British forces stationed abroad is £215 million allowing for German offsets and other receipts arising from our overseas commitments. Foreign exchange earnings from forces of other countries stationed in this country are estimated to be about £40 million.
§ Mr. HenigCan the Secretary of State tell us to what extent the earnings that he mentions are dependent upon the costs, and whether there is any danger of the cuts that are now proceeding in these costs leading to a reduction in these earnings?
§ Mr. HealeyTo some extent, of course, the earnings are dependent on the costs in so far as they arise out of obligations to offset costs.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsDoes the right hon. Gentleman agree in general that we get extremely good value for the money that we spend on our troops stationed abroad?
§ Mr. HealeyMy belief is that we get better value per battalion stationed abroad than any other country in the world.
§ Mr. PowellWill the right hon. Gentleman confirm that the £40 million that he mentioned in his Answer falls to be added to the £350 million which has accrued from the same source during the past 14 years?
§ Mr. HealeyI do not know for whom it falls to be added, but it is the case that £350 million accrued from this source over the period mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman.