§ Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Defence what overseas bases have been closed or handed over since 1947; how much capital expenditure there had been on each since the last 197W war; and how much compensation was received in each case.
§ Mr. WatkinsonIn paragraph 5 of the Statement on Defence 1962 (Cmnd. 1639) a base is defined as a place where troops, ships, aircraft, heavy equipment, supplies and facilities for maintenance and repair can be kept for military operations elsewhere. On this definition the following is the information:
Overseas bases closed or handed over since 1947 Post-war capital expenditure Compensation received £ million Bases in: (i) Egypt 13.5 See note (a) (ii) Iraq 0.5 See note (b) (iii) South Africa 0.28 £0.75 million (See Cmnd. 9520) (iv) Ceylon 2.08 £1.32 million (See note (c)) Notes:
(a) H.M. Government and the Egyptian Government agreed to waive financial claims against one another, as laid down in Cmnd. 9586 Cmnd. 9600 and Cmnd. 639.
(b) R.A.F. installations at Habbaniya serving the needs of both the U.K. and Iraq were handed over to the Government of Iraq free of charge. H.M. Government waived payment of £2.755 million in respect of other property, land and installations at Habbaniya, Shaiba and Basra in accordance with the terms of Cmnd. 9544 and Cmnd. 9772.
(c) In accordance with Cmnd. 197, the final instalment of £330,000 is due to be paid in 1962, making a total of £1.65 million.