HC Deb 12 June 1968 vol 766 cc209-10
4. Sir Ian Orr-Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Defence which of the units committed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as a result of announcements to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Conference on 10th May will be based in Malta.

Mr. Reynolds

The Canberra reconnaissance squadron will continue to be based in Malta for the time being.

Sir Ian Orr-Ewing

The right hon. Gentleman has spoken about the number of ships coming back from the Far East which would be based in the Mediterranean. Can he now say whether they will be based at Gibraltar, Malta, or elsewhere?

Mr. Reynolds

They will not be based in the Mediterranean. As was explained in a recent Answer, some of them will be in the Mediterranean for certain periods, but they will be based primarily in the United Kingdom.