§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total estimated cost of the Royal Navy nine months' deployment in the Indian Ocean 589W and the Far East; which are the navies with which the Royal Navy will exercise en route; if he will exclude collaboration with the Iranian Navy in view of the expanding military rôle of Iran in the Gulf and the growing militarisation of the Indian Ocean; and if he will exclude ports in Indonesia from those which are to be visited.
§ Mr. JuddIt is not our practice to give the costs of particular deployments. Any total figure would give a false impression as the costs of the ships concerned would still arise if they were in home waters. The deployment will provide valuable training for the Royal Navy, and opportunities for joint exercises will be taken up whenever they occur. Present plans include, for example, exercises with the American, Australian, French and New Zealand Navies. Any exercises with, or visits to, Iran, which is a fellow member of CENTO, or to Indonesian ports, would be in accord with Her Majesty's Government's policy towards those countries.