HC Deb 04 February 1970 vol 795 c397
3. Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the latest situation of the British defence facilities in Libya.

Mr. Healey

I have nothing to add to the information given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary on 2nd February.—[Vol. 795, c. 12–13.]

Mr. Marten

How much equipment and installation shall we be leaving behind? What is its value? Would the right hon. Gentleman answer this supplementary question and not simply say that it raises matters contained in Questions Nos. 37 and 50 on today's Order Paper?

Mr. Healey

While my answer would inevitably cover a great deal of the same ground, I can tell the hon. Gentleman that we shall not be leaving anything behind which is movable.

Mr. Shinwell

Has my right hon. Friend seen a report in the Press to the effect that a substantial number of our forces who are to leave Libya will be stationed in the Northern Territory of Australia? Is there any truth in that report—although it might be a desirable thing to do?

Mr. Healey

There is no truth that the Government have taken any decision on this matter. That is pure speculation.

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