§ 93. Dame Irene Wardasked the Secretary of State for Defence how he proposes to replace the Royal Navy's role of policeman on the beat for the protection of British shipping and trade East of Suez after 1971; and how he proposes to carry out this country's obligations to North Atlantic Treaty Organisation allies to provide protection for their ships trading East of Suez.
§ Mr. HealeyAs my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister made clear in his statement on 16th January, we shall retain a general capability based in Europe which can be deployed overseas as, in our judgment, circumstances demand. This capability will include Naval forces. Our obligations under the North Atlantic Treaty are, however, restricted to the North Atlantic area.—[Vol. 756, c. 1581.]