§ 28. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to the future of the Beira naval patrol.
§ Mr. JuddAs we have repeatedly made clear, we shall continue to fulfil our obligations under Security Council Resolution No. 221 of 1966. The patrol has been completely effective in achieving its aim of preventing oil reaching Rhodesia via Beira. Last year I visited HMS "Leopard" when she was on the Beira patrol. I was greatly impressed by the professional efficiency and loyalty with which an often tedious task was being conducted.
§ Mr. McNair-WilsonIs the Minister aware that the status of Mozambique has totally changed since the Portuguese gave that area self-government? Can he honestly say that the patrol is now serving a useful purpose? Can he say how often it is on station, and will he tell us how much it is costing the taxpayer annually?
§ Mr. JuddPart of that question is obviously for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. It is not wise to try to separate the cost of an operation of this kind from operations as a whole in that part of the world, because it is essentially linked to all our activities in the Indian Ocean.
§ Mr. ChurchillWill the Minister confirm that Simonstown was the single most valuable support base in recent years for the Beira patrol?
§ Mr. JuddIt is possible to maintain this patrol without the facilities available at Simonstown. My right hon. Friend has already referred to Simonstown in his answers this afternoon.