§ Q5. Mr. Dalyellasked the Prime Minister if he will make an official visit to Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean.
§ The Prime MinisterI have no plans to do so.
§ Mr. DalyellAt a time when David Barron of Shell, which, after all, is the biggest of our tanker owners, can express his public indifference towards a British naval presence in the Indian Ocean, has not the time come for second thoughts on this policy?
§ The Prime MinisterWe are not proposing to use Aldabra Atoll for a marine base in any way connected with defence in the Indian Ocean.
§ Mr. Frank AllaunBut is the building of a base in the Indian Ocean under consideration?
§ The Prime MinisterThe position remains what it has been for some time under the agreement between the United States Government and the British Government in December, 1966; that is, that whether or how we would use these islands in connection with defence is kept under review by both countries.
§ Mr. George ThomsonWill the Prime Minister either confirm or deny reports that the Government are now considering with the United States building communications facilities there at a cost of about £100 million?
§ The Prime MinisterAny discussions between the United States and ourselves must remain confidential. But I should think that one would have looked at the figure of £120 million in connection with any defence expenditure with a very jaundiced eye.
§ Mr. LaneWill my right hon. Friend look at the actual words used by the Chairman of Shell, because I think that the summary of them by the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) was inaccurate?