HC Deb 22 April 1964 vol 693 cc171-2W
34. Mr. Paget

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the recent arrival in Cyprus of troops from other countries forming part of the United Nations force, he will now make a statement on his plans for reducing the number of British troops serving under United Nations command in Cyprus and for the inter-changeability of troops between United Nations command and British base command in Cyprus.

Mr. Thorneycroft

I am glad to be able to inform the House that, in agreement with the Secretary-General, we shall soon be able further to reduce the size of the British contingent, as other national contingents build up. We hope to get down to 3,000 men, possibly to 2,000, out of a total United Nations strength of 7,000 by the end of May. There are no plans at present for interchanging troops or units between United Nations and British command.