asked the Secretary of State for Defence what facilities exist for Royal Air Force operations at Aldabra, Gan, and the Cocos Islands, respectively.

None at Aldabra; full staging facilities at Gan; limited civil airfield facilities in the Cocos Islands.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many British Service men there are at Aldabra, Gan, and the Cocos Islands, respectively.

None; 440; none.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how long the runways are at Aldabra, Gan, and the Cocos Islands.

There is no airfield at Aldabra. The runway at Gan is 8,700 feet long. The civil airfield in the Cocos Islands is an Australian responsibility.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the amount spent to date by Her Majesty's Government on defence facilities at Aldabra, Gan, and the Cocos Islands.

About £6·25 million over the last ten years, all at Gan.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what anchorage facilities exist at Aldabra, Gan, and the Cocos Islands.

At Aldabra anchorage is available for vessels up to 14 feet in draught and 300 feet in length. At Gan there are good anchorage facilities for all types of vessel. The Cocos Islands are an Australian responsibility.