§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what percentage of the actual cost of stationing British forces in West Germany is covered by the support costs currently being paid by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany;
(2) if he will break down the support costs paid by the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany to show the amount paid for the Royal Air Force presence in West Germany.
§ Mr. BlakerThe last Anglo-German offset agreement covering some of the costs of stationing British forces in West Germany, which was negotiated by the previous Administration, stated that bilateral offset arrangements would cease when the agreement itself expired on 31 March 1980. However, the Federal German Government continue to provide a range of facilities free of charge to the British forces, including most of the barrack and other military accommodation. It would require disproportionate effort to estimate the notional rental value of all these facilities. The cost of constructing new facilities if these were not available to us would be considerable.