HC Deb 15 November 1967 vol 754 cc129-31W
99. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what calculation he has made of the capital costs and running costs of a staging post or base at Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean.

Mr. Healey

Since no decision has been taken to build a staging post on Aldabra Atoll, this is a hypothetical question. A range of possibilities has been considered and costed. It is not customary to reveal estimates of the cost of building a defence facility before contracts have been let.

102. Mr. Marquand

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what strategic studies have taken place in relation to the use of a staging post at Aldabra Atoll for providing air cover for British naval operations in the Indian Ocean.

Mr. Healey

Our studies of the requirement for a staging post have taken this rôle into account.

103. Mr. Orme

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what study he has made of hazardous currents around Aldabra Atoll.

Mr. Healey

Studies of currents round Aldabra were made by H.M.S. "Vidal" in September, 1967.

104. Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in the light of the fact that temperatures on Aldabra Atoll rise to 110 degrees fahrenheit, he has made a study of the costs of installing air conditioning at the proposed staging post.

Mr. Healey

If it were decided to build an airfield at Aldabra, building specifications would naturally take the local climate into account.

105. Mr. Whitaker

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what study he has made of the problems of bird-strike from terns and boobies at Aldabra Atoll in the Indian Ocean.

106. Mr. Gregory

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will now publish the advice he has had from the British Government adviser on bird-strike, in relation to problems at Aldabra Atoll.

Mr. Healey

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) on 6th November, on the question of the bird-strike problem at Aldabra.—[Vol. 753. c.55.]

107. Mr. Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has had from the Biological Secretary of the Royal Society on the establishment of an airstrip on South Island of Aldabra Atoll; and what reply he has sent.

Mr. Healey

I am having a useful exchange of views with the Royal Society.

108. Mr. Heffer

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what study he has made of the incidence of cyclones on Aldabra Atoll; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Healey

Cyclones are known to have occurred infrequently in the Aldabra area. Precautions would be taken if an airfield were built on the atoll.

Mr. Ridley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is expected to be the cost of constructing, and of maintaining, a staging post on the Island of Aldabra.

Mr. Healey

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave today to a similar Question by the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell).

Mr. Ridley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what agreement exists between the United Kingdom and the United States of America with regard to the United States using the island of Aldabra as a staging post.

Mr. Healey

None.

Mr. Brooks

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans for service hospital facilities he has on Aldabra Atoll.

Mr. Healey

None, since no decision has yet been taken to station Servicemen there.