§ 4. Mr. G. Campbellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what staging posts he now expects to be available to the United Kingdom forces in 1972 in the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia.
§ Mr. HealeyThis is one of the questions to be considered in the context of the gene-al review of the rôle, size and shape of the forces, mentioned in the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 16th January.
§ Mr. CampbellHas the Secretary of State realised that this is a very important question for world peace-keeping and also for communication with Hong Kong? Does he expect such staging posts to be under United Kingdom sovereignty or subject to agreement with other countries?
§ Mr. HealeyI am afraid I am not prepared to discuss in detail what decisions are likely to be announced later this year, but I can tell the hon. Gentleman that there is a variety of possible options open here. If we were to use staging posts in the Indian Ocean they would be under United Kingdom sovereignty.
§ Mr. Wingfield DigbyIs it not the case that under the Simonstown Agreement there are no rights whatever to airfields? Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to negotiate those rights?
§ Mr. HealeyThat question has not arisen.