Libya

HC Deb 15 October 1969 vol 788 cc394-5

24. Mr. Shinwell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether British forces in Libya are to remain in that country; and for what purpose.

37. Mr. Lane

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement about the future availability of training and other defence facilities in Libya.

41. Mr. Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what future arrangements have been made about British bases in Libya.

Mr. Healey

We look forward to continuing our co-operation with the Libyan Government in all fields including the defence sphere where the presence of our forces and their training rôle is of mutual benefit to both countries. We have no bases in Libya.

Mr. Shinwell

Does the treaty with the present Libyan Government provide for the defence of Libya? As the present Libyan Government has associated itself with Cairo in declaring war on the State of Israel, is there not some complication here which perhaps could be disentangled by my right hon. Friend?

Mr. Healey

I will do my best to disentangle any complications I discover.

Mr. Lane

In view of the uncertainty over Libya, will the Government look again at the desirability of retaining some kind of training facilities in the Persian Gulf area after 1971?

Mr. Healey

I do not believe that this would be the answer if the unfortunate contingency of which the hon. Gentleman is thinking arose.

Mr. Shinwell

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I asked my right hon. Friend a question, but he has not ventured to give me a reply.

Mr. Speaker

That is not unknown in the history of Parliament.

Mr. Henig

In view of the British Government's policy of keeping some kind of balance in the delivery of arms to the Middle East, and in view of the change of regime in Libya, is Libya now considered part of the Middle East for the purpose of keeping this balance in arms supply?

Mr. Healey

That is a completely different question. If my hon. Friend will put it down, I will see what I can do about answering it.

Mr. James Davidson

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what part of the consignment of Chieftain tanks to Libya had been delivered before the change of Government and whether there has been any change in the contractual arrangements?

Mr. Healey

That is a totally different question which has nothing to do with any of these three Questions.