HC Deb 20 February 1967 vol 741 cc223-4W
Mr. Powell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances it has been necessary to move Gurkha troops by sea instead of air charter.

Mr. Reynolds

At the time of the hostilities between India and Pakistan in 1965, the Indian Government informed us that in view of the shortage of aviation fuel in the country, refuelling facilities could not be made available for the forthcoming move of Gurkha troops by air charter. The move that autumn, and both those in 1966, were carried out by sea.