§ 24 and 25. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when he will announce a decision on the base or staging post at Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean;
(2) what plans he has for the protection of the staging post at Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean.
§ Mr. HealeyNo decision has yet been taken on the possibility of building an airfield in the British Indian Ocean territory. I will make an announcement, one way or the other, as soon as possible. I am not prepared to deal on a hypothetical basis with the question of the protection of such an airfield.
§ Mr. DalyellIs there a current cost estimate?
§ Mr. HealeyYes, Sir.
§ Sir Ian Orr-EwingIs the Minister aware that it is rather more than two years since he announced this as being a basic part of his defence philosophy, in the White Paper of 1965? That is rather a long time, and he has not yet produced any plans to bring into being what he suggested was essential in order to make use of the F111.
§ Mr. HealeyI am afraid that it was such a long time ago that the hon. Member has completely forgotten the terms in 1019 which reference was made to this matter. It was not regarded as a basic part but as a possible element of flexibility.