§ 12. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for Defence, in view of the political uncertainty which surrounds the sovereign base in Cyprus, if he will now seek to transfer the base from Cyprus to Malta, where political and other conditions are more stable.
§ Mr. HealeyNo, Sir.
§ Sir J. Langford-HoltHas not the right hon. Gentleman said many times 395 that a background of political stability is vital in an overseas base? Is it not clear that this is not being provided and will not be in Cyprus?
§ Mr. HealeyThere are all sorts of possible views about the political background to the situation in many parts of the Mediterranean. The fact is that Malta and Cyprus are about 1,000 miles apart. We intend to keep facilities on both islands. Some of the facilities are appropriate in Malta and others in Cyprus. Certainly we could not make use of Malta for all the purposes for which we now need facilities in Cyprus.