HC Deb 19 January 1971 vol 809 c716
Q4. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Prime Minister of Australia on bases/staging posts in the British Indian Ocean territory.

Mr. Maudling

I have been asked to reply.

The Australian Government were informed about the proposed naval communications facility at Diego Garcia before the public announcement was made.

Mr. Dalyell

What has been the AngloAustralian reply to the view of the Indian and Ceylon Governments that the Indian Ocean should be demilitarised?

Mr. Maudling

I understand that the matter is being discussed at the conference in Singapore, and I cannot say anything about it at the moment. I gather that the proposal for this facility has been much welcomed in Australia.

Mr. Cronin

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the Soviet threat in the Indian Ocean is entirely a political one, not military, and, therefore, does not justify the Government's somewhat hysterical fears?

Mr. Maudling

I thought that the photographs which we saw in the newspapers recently were more of a naval than of a political character.