HC Deb 27 January 1987 vol 109 cc168-9
3. Mr. Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his recent visit to the Falkland Islands.

The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. George Younger)

My recent visit to the Falkland Islands was most interesting and informative and it gave me the opportunity to review the garrison before it completes its move to the Mount Pleasant complex. I was also able to talk to many members of the armed forces and the islanders at all levels.

Mr. Chapman

I thank my right hon. Friend for that statement and welcome the opening of the new Mount Pleasant airport complex the weekend before last. Does my right hon. Friend agree that that project means that the defence of the islands can be secured more effectively, more quickly and more economically? If that is my right hon. Friend's interpretation of it, does he hold out the prospect of the islands being adequately defended with fewer armed services personnel there than hitherto?

Mr. Younger

Yes, my hon. Friend is correct in that. The successful completion of the new Mount Pleasant complex will enable us to have adequate defence for the islands at all times and to do this with fewer forces than would otherwise have been needed, because we now have the ability to reinforce quickly and efficiently.

Mr. Dalyell

What professional advice came from senior Royal Air Force commanders about the adequacy of air cover, and particularly the Phantoms?

Mr. Younger

Our advice from all our military advisers, including those in the RAF, is that the present provision for air defence is adequate with the likely threat in mind.

Sir Antony Buck

Does my right hon. Friend agree that while it costs a lot of money to garrison the Falklands, there are none the less considerable advantages in continuing with that, in that battalions that have served there go down as good battalions and come back as crack battalions because of the way in which they can train out there and operate military equipment?

Mr. Younger

I very much agree with my hon. and learned Friend. Apart from the undoubtedly high training value of what the forces do there, it is immensely impressive to see what they achieve when they are all there for a total period of four months each. They look extremely professional and they are very professional in what they do.

Mr. Foulkes

Does the Secretary of State recall that in his honeymoon period as Secretary of State for Defence, before he was gagged by the Ministry of Defence spokesman, he said that it was his intention to reduce the garrison on the Falklands to 1,000 men? Will he break free from the shackles of the MOD and tell the House whether that is still his intention?

Mr. Younger

I did not know that I had had a honeymoon, but I am not sure that I would choose to spend it with the hon. Gentleman. As the hon. Gentleman knows, we never give details of particular force levels at any time, but they are fully adequate to deal with any threat.

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