§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether there has been any increase in the British contingent stationed at Diego Garcia following the Russian invasion of Afghanistan; and whether he has any intention to despatch British naval forces to the Persian Gulf/Indian Ocean following that invasion; 355W and what naval forces are presently stationed there.
§ Mr. SpeedThe size of the Royal Navy liaison party on Diego Garcia has recently been increased by one regulating petty officer. There are no plans for a further increase. We keep the dispositions of our Naval forces under constant review, but have no immediate plans to despatch warships to the Indian Ocean area. Periodic deployments will, however, continue and arrangements are in hand for a task group to pass through the Indian Ocean later this year en route to the Far East.