HC Deb 17 June 1971 vol 819 cc613-4
2. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of British troops in the Gulf.

Lord Balniel

There has been no change in our policy for the future of British troops in the Gulf since I answered a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) on 11th March.—[ol. 813, c. 147.]

Mr. Wall

Is the rundown planned by the Labour Government continuing, but will the options to retain troops either in support of the union or bilaterally still remain open to Her Majesty's Government?

Lord Balniel

The proposal which has been put forward by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary is to make troops available in a training and liaison capacity to a union of territories in that area, if that can be formed, and our policy is, in fact, the creation of a union. It is our duty to press ahead with this as fast as possible.

Mr. George Thomson

Will the Minister come clean with the House about the Government's intentions regarding withdrawal and say whether the run-down is at present taking place? Has there been a net reduction in the number of troops in the Gulf in the last six months, and is this reduction going on?

Lord Balniel

It would be wrong for me to give figures about the exact deployment of troops. However, I assure the right hon. Gentleman that we shall keep adequate military forces in the area to fulfil our commitments while we are responsible for them.