§ 2.36 p.m.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy 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 whether they have any statement to make about discussions with the Government of the Republic of South Africa regarding the defence of "the West" and, in particular, regarding the Simonstown Naval Base.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD WALSTON)My Lords, as discussions are still going on with the South African Government about reductions in our naval presence there, I cannot at this stage reveal details of the proposals we have made. I can, however, assure noble Lords that we are not on our side proposing any changes in the Simonstown Agreements. These, as noble Lords know, provide for co-operation between the British and South African Governments on matters relating to defence of sea routes.
§ LORD FRASER OF LONSDALEMy Lords, may I thank the noble Lord for a more hopeful Answer than I had expected? Is he aware that on September 27 and 28 last the Minister of Defence in the House of Assembly in Cape Town said he hoped that the West would think again in view of the importance of the matter to the West of the Cape of Good Hope route? May I ask whether Her Majesty's Government are contributing towards this process of thinking again?
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, I am aware of the remarks to which the noble Lord refers, and I can assure him that we are thinking the whole time. "Thinking again" rather connotes that at one time we stopped thinking. That is an assertion I would not accept.