§ Mr. G. Brownasked the Minister of Defence whether the visit of the Second Squadron of the Home Fleet to Lisbon was approved by him; how long the squadron stayed there; what was the purpose of the visit; what exercises it engaged in on the way; and which other forces were involved.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe answer to the first part of the Question is no. The Second Frigate Squadron visited Lisbon from the 16th-20th June. This was a normal courtesy visit, which did not require my consent. On passage the Squadron carried out a N.A.T.O. communications exercise with Portuguese maritime aircraft. No other forces were involved.