§ 27. Mr. Albert Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Defence what rôle Gibraltar plays in North Atlantic Treaty Organisation strategy in the defence of Western Europe and the maintenance of free shipping lanes in the Mediterranean Sea.
§ Mr. HealeyGibraltar provides airfield, communications and naval dockyard facilities.
§ Mr. RobertsIs any consideration being given to some part of the cost being 1612 borne by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation?
§ Mr. HealeyThe North Atlantic Treaty Organisation does not bear any costs in Gibraltar, other than some of the costs associated with the presence of a N.A.T.O. commander there. Costs of contributions to N.A.T.O. are borne by the Governments concerned.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan-GilesWill the Secretary of State undertake to keep the House informed about the Soviet Fleet that is being shadowed by N.A.T.O. forces at present, including British forces?
§ Mr. HealeyThis is a completely different question, and I will consider what information I give to the House. Her Majesty's forces, and N.A.T.O. forces, carry out a great deal of surveillance on the activities of other naval forces in the world and we do not always consider it desirable to keep the House continuously informed.