45. Mr. W. H. K. Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the number of Soviet and Warsaw Pact naval auxiliary vessels in proximity to British territorial waters on 23rd November.
§ Mr. Healey:Four Soviet destroyers, accompanied by a tug and oiler, were reported in the vicinity of the Scottish coast on that day.
§ Mr. Youngerasked the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in the last 12 months Russian naval vessels have been detected in the vicinity of British territorial waters; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Healey:On several occasions this year Soviet warships and naval support vessels have appeared on the high seas in the vicinity of the United Kingdom, and in particular off the Scottish coast, where ships have made use of anchorages. These activities have been kept under surveillance by the R.N. and the R.A.F.