HC Deb 21 October 1954 vol 531 cc193-4W
Mr. T. Reid

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what arrangements exist in case of war for the use of harbours and airfields in India and Ceylon, especially the harbour of Trincomalee, by Her Majesty's forces; and if he will take steps now to settle the question of their use in the event of the countries concerned remaining neutral.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Our use of Trincomalee and similar facilities in Ceylon is governed by the 1947 Defence Agreement which provides for the grant of such facilities on the basis of mutual agreement. No defence agreement has been concluded with India.