§ 6. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the future of British amphibious forces.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy (Mr. Maurice Foley)In the short term, that is to say until the withdrawals from Singapore, Malaysia and the Persian 211 Gulf are completed, we shall continue to deploy units of the amphibious forces East of Suez. For the period of 1968 they will also be earmarked for assignment to N.A.T.O. The longer term rôleof the forces in the N.A.T.O. setting remains under consideration as part of our force level studies.
§ Mr. WallWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that any amphibious forces stationed in the Mediterranean take a long time to get to the Indian Ocean if the Canal remains shut?