HC Deb 12 June 1968 vol 766 cc39-40W
Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the latest interceptions of ships by the Beira patrol; whether he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT full particulars of all such interceptions made since the patrol was instituted; and whether, having regard to the fact that sanctions have not so far achieved the object for which they were introduced, he will end the patrol forthwith.

Mr. Foley

There have been 28 occasions on which ships have been stopped or asked to slow down, in pursuance of the Security Council Resolution of 9th April, 1966, by the naval patrol off Beira. This figure includes two occasions in May this year when ships were stopped by the naval patrol and subsequently allowed to proceed. The future requirement for the naval patrol is a matter for the United Nations Security Council.