HL Deb 04 February 1964 vol 255 c5

2.43 p.m.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government for how long and on what terms British troops will remain in Uganda and Tanganyika.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS AND FOR THE COLONIES (THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE)

My Lords, this is a matter we shall have to discuss with the Governments concerned. My right honourable friend has already said in another place that he proposes to have early consultations with the East African Governments.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, I am delighted to hear that there will be early consultations with the Governments concerned. May I ask the noble Duke whether these discussions will include an offer on the part of Her Majesty's Government of assistance to these Governments in the training of their armed forces—for example, by providing British military missions, which have been acceptable in other independent African countries?

THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE

We are naturally most anxious to help our Commonwealth partners in any way we can, and any suggestions as to how we can help in the Service field will, of course, be sympathetically considered by Her Majesty's Government. How these talks will develop remains to be seen, but we will give urgent and sympathetic consideration to any suggestions put forward by the East African Governments.