Malta

35.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins
asked the Minister of State for Defence how many men  of the Armed Forces will remain on the Island of Malta on 1st March, 1972.

Lord Balniel
Some 2,300 Service personnel and 100 United Kingdom based civilians will be in Malta on 1st March, 1972; on present plans, they will be withdrawn by 31st March, 1972.

Mr. Lane
asked the Minister of State for Defence whether he will make a further statement on the future of British defence facilities in Malta.

Lord Balniel
I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made on 15th February.—[Vol. 831, c. 254–9.]