§ Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for establishment of a permanent naval force east of Suez.
§ Mr. SpeedI have no plans to establish a permanent naval force east of Suez. Groups of Royal Navy ships do, however, deploy to the area at regular intervals. At present a task force of a destroyer, five frigates and four support vessels is passing through the Indian Ocean en route for the United Kingdom following a deployment which has taken it to Australia and South-East Asia.