§ Mr. Ripponasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will take steps to negotiate a new Simonstown agreement in place of the one terminated in 1975; and if he will make a statement on the arrangements that are being made to protect the trade routes in the South Atlantic.
§ Sir Ian GilmourThe Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic contingency plan for the protection of shipping around Africa was approved by the defence planning committee of NATO last year. This plan could be activated in time of tension, subject to DPC approval at the time. There are also national and NATO plans for the naval control of shipping 75W which place certain responsibilities on the United Kingdom. The arrangements for discharging these responsibilities are being revised to take account of changing conditions. We do not intend to negotiate a new Simonstown agreement.