§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence when the RAF withdrawal from Gan will be completed; and what is to happen to the airfield after the withdrawal.
§ Mr. JohnAs forecast in the Statement on the Defence Estimates 1975 (Command 5976) we shall have completed the withdrawal from Gan by April 1976. The use of the airfield after our withdrawal is still under discussion with the Government of the Maldives.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the maximum number of male civilians to have been employed by the Services in Gan; and 155W what percentage this constitutes of the total employed male population.
§ Mr. JohnThe number of Maldivian employees on Gan has remained relatively constant and currently is approximately 980. There is no other large employer of labour in the Addu Atoll of which Gan is a part and the rest of the adult male population is largely self-employed on such local activities as fishing and farming. The number is not known.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence why the air and sea facilities being constructed at Diego Garcia could not have been provided by developing the existing facilities at Gan now to be abandoned; and whether the facilities there were offered to the United States of America.
§ Mr. MasonThe United Kingdom Government's use of Gan is governed by the 1965 Agreement with the Government of the Maldives (Cmnd 2749). This agreement provides for the use of the facilities only for Commonwealth defence. Her Majesty's Government have no rights to offer these facilities to other Governments.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian patients were treated in 1974 by the Service medical authorities on Gan; and what alternative facilities will be available after the RAF withdrawal.
§ Mr. JohnAs follows:
MOD civilians Local civilians Consultations 259 14,755 Out-patient treatments 393 17,145 In-patient treatments 18 1,140 The provision of alternative facilities after the withdrawal of the RAF is a matter for the Government of Maldives who are considering the position.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether the service hospital on Gan has been the sole source of hospital facilities on the island.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities have been 156W provided by the Services to the civilian community in Gan.
§ Mr. JohnThe following facilities and services are provided for the civilian community of Addu Atoll:
On Gan
- 1. Free medical treatment for up to 72 new patients per week. Facilities include 30 beds, X-ray, pathology laboratory, dispensary, fully equipped operating theatre.
- 2. Free dental treatment.
- 3. Building and civil engineering stores sold to authorised traders on a no-loss basis.
- 4. Minor engineering repairs to individuals' equipment on repayment.
- 5. Petrol, kerosene and diesel fuels sold to authorised traders.
In Addu Atoll generally
- 1. Repairs and rough maintenance of roads on, and causeways between, islands when opportunities allow.
- 2. Construction, without charge, of three small mosques.
- 3. Provision of advice and assistance from the RAF Hygiene Team to atoll authorities.
- 4. Emergency Sea Rescue facilities.
The extent to which Service personnel can undertake voluntary work with the population of Addu Atoll is limited because under the 1965 Agreement with the Government of Maldives, Service men are restricted to Gan and Hittadu except in exceptional circumstances.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the annual saving in cost as a result of the abandonment of the base at Gan.
§ Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the estimated annual cost of maintaining British forces in Gan.
§ Mr. JohnThe current annual running cost of Gan is approximately £3½ million, and savings of this order will be achieved when the proposed withdrawal is completed.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan-Gilesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of RAF personnel serving at Gan are volunteers for this posting.
§ Mr. JohnApproximately 40 per cent. of the airmen are volunteers. Officer volunteers are not called for.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan-Gilesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what 157W capital expenditure has been incurred by his Department on works at Gan during each of the last five financial years.
§ Mr. JohnExpenditure on works and maintenance at Gan during the last five financial years was:
New Works Maintenance £ £ 1970–71 131,000 400,000 1971–72 2,038,000 577,000 1972–73 45,000 427,000 1973–74 62,000 431,000 1974–75 58,000 652,000
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan-Gilesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost to public funds of accommodating 100 passengers from Royal Air Force transport aircraft at Gan overnight.
§ Mr. JohnThe cost to public funds of accommodating and feeding 100 passengers from RAF transport aircraft at RAF Gan overnight is approximately £120.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan-Gilesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what capital expenditure was incurred in resurfacing the runway at the Royal Air Force staging post at Gan.
§ Mr. JohnIn February and March of 1973, six of the concrete panels which make up the runway were replaced. The cost of this work was some £2,500.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan-Gilesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what are his latest plans for the future of the RAF staging post at Gan; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JohnI would draw the hon. and gallant Member's attention to the reply given today to the hon. Member for Tynemouth (Mr. Trotter).