§ 7 . Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his discussions with the United States Government on atoll bases in the Indian Ocean.
§ The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. David Ennals)I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend on 1st May.—[Vol. 872, c. 1121.]
§ Mr. DalyellSince very different people may form the Government of the United States in the late 1970s, will my right hon. Friend say what discussions have taken place with Democrats, and particularly sceptical Democrats?
§ Mr. EnnalsThere have been no discussions between Her Majesty's Government and sceptical democrats. What may be the position of a future United States Government is a situation that I cannot possibly prophesy.
§ Mr. HooleyDoes not my hon. Friend agree that, in the light of events in the Portuguese African territories and the possibility that the Suez Canal will be opened early next year, it might be as well to go slow with negotiations on security arrangements in the Indian Ocean?
§ Mr. EnnalsI assure my hon. Friend that all considerations are being borne in mind as we look at the question, as I explained to my hon. Friend on a previous occasion.