§ Q8. Mr. Dalyellasked the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with Mr. Nixon on the proposed British/United States base/staging post in the British Indian Ocean territory.
§ Mr. MaudlingI have been asked to reply.
I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 12th November.—[Vol. 806, c. 255.]
§ Mr. DalyellIs it wise in this day and age for an American President and a British Prime Minister to go ahead with a base in the Indian Ocean against the express wishes of Indira Gandhi, the Indian Government and Ceylon and with no consultation with Commonwealth countries?
§ Mr. MaudlingI am grateful to the hon. Member for giving notice of that supplementary question; I appreciate his courtesy. Of course we are concerned with the views of our Commonwealth partners in all these matters, but the ultimate decision about the security and defence of this country must rest with the British Government. Since 1967 it has been made quite clear that the use of this territory for defence purposes was a matter being kept under review by the United States and British Governments. That has been the position since 1967.
§ Mr. George ThomsonWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the specific question put by my hon. Friend? Were the Indian and Ceylon Governments given information in advance about this plan 1563 before a public announcement was made by the British and American Governments?
§ Mr. MaudlingYes, they were informed before the public announcement was made.
§ Sir T. BeamishDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the British Indian Ocean territory was set up by the last Government with the object of creating just such a staging post as this?
§ Mr. MaudlingYes, that was enshrined in the White Paper at the time.