§ 44. Dr. Winstanleyasked the Secretary of State for Defence how long it is intended that the Royal Engineers detachment which recently completed the construction of an airfield in Thailand will remain there; and what is the cost involved.
§ Mr. BoydenThe Royal Engineers are helping the Thai authorities throughout 1967 with a programme of road building. The full cost of the R.E. detachment is about £850,000 a year, including £165,000 for the extra cost of these troops being stationed in Thailand which is reimbursed to the Ministry of Defence by the Foreign Office.
§ Dr. WinstanleyI thank the Minister for that answer, but will he make it clear that this enterprise is not in any way some kind of concealed subsidy for the American effort in Vietnam? Will he state clearly the purpose of this airfield?
§ Mr. BoydenThe airfield is support for our ally in S.E.A.T.O., and was a gift to the Thai Government. The airfield lacks facilities for operational use by medium-sized strike aircraft of the type being used by the Americans in Vietnam.
§ Mr. Frank AllaunIs not the involvement of British forces there and elsewhere in the Far East of tiny value to America, but designed to add respectability to American military adventures throughout Asia?
§ Mr. BoydenNo, Sir. It is for the assistance of our S.E.A.T.O. ally—for communications. The road building and airfield are for the same purposes.