HC Deb 20 March 1968 vol 761 cc391-2
8. Mr. Wingfield Digby

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what agreement Her Majesty's Government have with the Kenyan Government about facilities at Mombasa for Royal Navy ships taking part in the Beira patrol; what those facilities are; and whether any service personnel are stationed there.

Mr. Healey

There is no special agreement between Her Majesty's Government and the Kenyan Government relating to facilities at Mombasa for Her Majesty's ships taking part in the Beira patrol. There is however a general arrangement under which Her Majesty's ships visit Mombasa for maintenance and recreation. The facilities available include moorings, supplies and services, and a leave centre. 22 Service personnel are tationed at Mombasa.

Mr. Digby

Are these ships then to be based at Mombasa following our evacuation of Aden, since obviously it would not be suitable to base them at Simonstown?

Mr. Healey

No, Sir. These ships are not based at Mombasa now, nor have they ever been. So far as operations are concerned, they rely on afloat support.

Mr. Eldon Griffiths

What will happen to the leave centre at Mombasa in view of the intended pull-out from the Persian Gulf?

Mr. Healey

It will close in due course.