HC Deb 17 January 1967 vol 739 cc14-5W
Captain Kerby

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what approaches have been made in the past two years to his Department by the Government of the Bahamas seeking Her Majesty's Government's assistance in the establishing of domestic security forces in the Bahamas.

Mrs. Hart

The Bahamas Government asked in 1964 if vessels suitable for effective sea-patrol of Bahamian waters could be given or lent by H.M.G. The only offer that it proved possible to make was of seaward defence boats surplus to Royal Navy requirements. These could have been sold at much reduced cost but because of their technical unsuitability and the heavy costs of refitting the Bahamas Government did not take up the offer.