§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Lord Privy Seal what discussions he has had with the Government of Thailand and other Association of South-East Asian Nations countries about the use of the port facilities at Cam Ranh Bay by Soviet naval vessels; and if he will estimate the current size of the Soviet naval presence in South-East Asian waters.
§ Mr. HurdWe are in regular contact with the Governments of Thailand and the other members of the Association of South-East Asian Nations on a wide range of subjects, including the relationship between Vietnam and the Soviet Union. There are at present about 20 Soviet naval vessels in the South China Sea area. About half of them are warships, including an aircraft carrier.