§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he proposes to take following the development by the USSR of a naval base at Somalia with particular reference to the tanker traffic from the Gulf to the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JuddThe security of oil and other supplies is a collective interest which158W we share with our allies. We can no longer maintain a continuous global naval presence for this purpose, but the Royal Navy retains the ability to deploy worldwide and we will be able to play our part.