§ 121. Mr. Warbeyasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many British personnel, and of which ranks and arms, have served in Thailand during the past year; and on what duties they have been engaged.
§ Mr. Healey62 officers and 670 other ranks have served in Thailand since 1st January, 1965, the majority-32 officers and 565 other ranks—being there for the construction of the airfield at Loeng Nok Tha which, as announced in 1963, is to be handed over to the Government of Thailand when complete. Six officers and eight other ranks of all three Services have been attached to the embassy for Service attache duties. Twenty officers, including a major-general, and nine other ranks have served at the S.E.A.T.O. headquarters, more than half of them on temporary attachment for the planning of a S.E.A.T.O. exercise. The balance is made 291W up of army signallers operating the Commonwealth communications link between Bangkok and Singapore.