HC Deb 05 July 1967 vol 749 cc1818-9
42. Mr. Thorpe

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what joint facilities Great Britain shares with Australia in the Cocos Islands; and what proportion of the cost each country pays.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

None, Sir.

Mr. Thorpe

While thanking the Minister for the short and cryptic nature of his reply, may I ask whether we can take it that no public funds are expended on the Cocos Islands for defence purposes?

Mr. Rees

If at any time, and it is very rarely, an R.A.F. aircraft lands there, we pay for the petrol.