HC Deb 25 November 1975 vol 901 cc656-7
17. Mr. Blaker

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for using air trooping facilities through Sri Lanka.

Mr. John

The future air trooping routes to Hong Kong are still under consideration. A Ministry of Defence team leaves tomorrow to study possible staging points, and Sri Lanka is one of the countries that it will be visiting. We have already had preliminary discussions with the Sri Lankan authorities.

Mr. Blaker

Are the Government satisfied that if arrangements are made for air trooping facilities through Sri Lanka or other countries in the area we shall still be able to continue to use those facilities in the event of a disagreement on policy between the British Government and the Government concerned—for example, about the demilitarisation of the Indian Ocean?

Mr. John

As only preliminary discussions have so far taken place, and as the defence team is leaving tomorrow, the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that that, amongst other things, is what we are trying to find out, in order to come to an agreement that is acceptable to both Governments.

Mr. Amery

Is the Minister aware that, on the information at present available to the House and subject to what the delegation reports, staging troops through Sri Lanka does not seem so very much cheaper than maintaining existing facilities at Gan? There must be a difference between the security of a route firmly under our control and one that is not under our control. What steps has the Minister taken to ensure that, if we should commit what I would regard as the folly of withdrawing from Gan altogether, the staging posts and anchorage facilities will not be taken over by an unfriendly Power?

Mr. John

We believe that the frequency of flights using Sri Lanka would be relatively low. Sri Lanka will be required for the replenishment and rotation of the reduced Hong Kong garrison. On preliminary findings, we are satisfied that the retention of Gan is not justified by the continuation of that task, but we are going into these matters in more detail, and I hope that the right hon. Gentleman will await the conclusion of the talks.

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