§ 21. Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the purpose of Exercise Unison held at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in August, 1967; and what was the cost.
§ Mr. ReynoldsThe purpose of Unison Exercises are to enable the military heads of Commonwealth armed forces to meet to study defence problems of mutual interest. Exercise Unison '67 was the fifth in the series. The theme of the conference was "Partnership in Defence "and study was directed mainly to the means of resolving the related problems of increasing complexity and steeply rising costs of defence.
§ The exercise cost about £60,000. An exhibition of British military equipment and techniques associated with the exercise cost a further £100,000 to mount.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeDoes that cost include the entire renovation of the old building at Sandhurst for that purpose, and is the right hon. Gentleman really satisfied that, particularly on the periphery of the arrangements, there is riot considerable over-spending on this exercise?
§ Mr. ReynoldsI would like notice of the first part of the question, but I guess that most of it is covered by the normal planned maintenance. As to future exercises, we have looked closely at this and are trying to find a better and cheaper method of achieving the same ends.