HC Deb 05 July 1967 vol 749 cc1823-4
67. Sir F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what net saving he estimates will be achieved in the current financial year as the result of the recently accelerated re-phasing of the run-down of United Kingdom forces in Malta.

Mr. Healey

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Winchester (Rear-Admiral Morgan Giles) on 31st May.—[Vol. 747, c. 84.]

Sir F. Bennett

I cannot recall that exact answer, but can the Minister say whether the saving will exceed or be less than the cost of maintaining the new base at Majunga, about which we have been talking? Can he give the comparative costs?

Mr. Healey

Without notice I cannot say what is the cost of the base at Majunga. [HON. MEMBERS: "We have just been given it."] I apologise. I was so intent on being able to give an adequate answer to the hon. Member that I failed to hear my hon. Friend give that answer in reply to an earlier Question. I can say that the saving will be substantially larger, but I would also make the point that we are running down our facilities in Malta because we think that there is no military and political purpose to be served by keeping them there. The case for our expenditure in Majunga is to serve purposes in accordance with a Resolution of the United Nations, and I had hoped that this was in accordance with the views of the vast majority of hon. Members on both sides of the House.

Mr. Maudling

In view of the serious effect upon Malta of the closure of the Suez Canal, is the Secretary of State giving any further consideration to ways in which this country can help Malta?

Mr. Healey

We are considering the problems that Malta is likely to undergo as a result of current events.