HC Deb 15 December 1970 vol 808 cc327-8W
Q22. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Prime Minister what discussions he had with Senator Percy, of Illinois, as personal envoy of President Nixon, on the issue of a joint British-United States staging post/base in the British Indian Ocean territory.

The Prime Minister

None. But I am now able to state that in accordance with the terms of the United States/United Kingdom Exchange of Notes of December, 1966, published in April, 1967 (Cmnd. 3231) Her Majesty's Government have agreed to the construction by the United States Government of a limited naval communications facility on Diego Garcia atoll in the Chagos Archipelago. The United Kingdom will assist in its manning. It will provide communications support to United States and United Kingdom ships and aircraft in the Indian Ocean.