§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will list Great Britain's defence responsibilities in the Indian Ocean; and if he will define them in detail.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourWe have responsibilities for the dependent territories of the Seychelles and the British Indian Ocean Territory and a Defence Agreement with Mauritius. For further details, I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the Exchange of Notes of December, 1966, between the British and United States Governments published in April, 1967 (Cmnd. 3231), and to the Defence Agreement with Mauritius published in 1968 as Command 3629.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence what discussions he has had 363W with representatives of the Government of India about British national responsibilities in the Indian Ocean.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleI have been asked to reply.
My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed problems of the security of the Indian Ocean with the Prime Minister of India during his visit to New Delhi in January this year. In addition, our responsibilities in that area were discussed with representatives of the Indian Government and with Heads of other Commonwealth Governments at the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Meeting in Singapore.
§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of State for Defence what discussions he has had with the Government of Ceylon about British national responsibilities in the Indian Ocean.
§ Mr. Anthony RoyleI have been asked to reply.
Our responsibilities in the Indian Ocean were discussed with the Prime Minister of Ceylon and with Heads of other Commonwealth Governments at the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' meet at Singapore.