HC Deb 23 February 1995 vol 255 cc334-5W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the operational reasons for having two bases on the island of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Soames

As set out in the 1994 defence White Paper, under military task 1.15, the UK retains two sovereign base areas in Cyprus. British Forces Cyprus provide: strategic communications facilities; an airhead for reinforcement and evacuation if necessary; a forward mounting base for operations in the middle east and north Africa; and training facilities for resident and non-resident forces.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the current operational running costs of having two bases on the island of Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Soames

The cost of British Forces Cyprus in 1993–94 was £190,000,000. In addition, the cost of the civil government of the sovereign base areas was £7,400,000.