HC Deb 04 February 1971 vol 810 c459W
Mr. Carter-Jones

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates he informed the Governments of India and Ceylon about the proposed base at Diego Garcia.

Mr. Anthony Royle

The Governments of India and Ceylon were formally notified of the decision to go ahead with the construction of a naval communications facility on Diego Garcia on 15th December in advance of the public announcement and very shortly after the decision itself had been taken.