§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his evaluation of the effect on the strategic importance to the Western Alliance of the security of the Cape route past Southern Africa; and to what extent this security could be affected by a neutral or hostile Government in Namibia.
§ Mr. BlakerThe trade route past Southern Africa is of great economic importance to the nations of the Western Alliance. Together with our Allies and other friendly nations we participate in contingency planning for the protection of shipping along this route. These plans do not depend on access to facilities in Southern Africa. However, the extent to which potentially hostile forces might enjoy support facilities in the area is taken into account.