§ 52. Sir J. Rodgersasked the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Australian and American Governments about the use of the Gan landing field in the future.
§ Mr. HealeyNone, Sir.
§ Sir J. RodgersIs it not a fact that the United States were greatly disconcerted by our precipitate announcement of our withdrawal east of Suez, and do not we owe it to our Commonwealth partners, particularly Australia and New Zealand, to help them in their defence programmes?
§ Mr. HealeyThat has nothing whatever to do with the Question, but if the hon. Gentleman is interested in the Question which he tabled, he should know that it is not open to us to invite any Government to make use of facilities at Gan. This would require a revision of the treaty, in virtue of which we have facilities there.