§ Q6. Mr. Hamlingasked the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the President of the United States on Great Britain's defence role in the Far East.
§ The Prime MinisterAs my hon. Friend knows, I hope to be meeting President Johnson later this week. I reported to the House on 21st December on my last talks with him.
§ Mr. HamlingWould my right hon. Friend bear in mind that it would be most beneficial to sterling if an agreement could be reached to cut down on our commitments in the Far East?
§ The Prime MinisterIn my statement last Wednesday, I informed the House of the economies which we were making in Government expenditure overseas. I do not believe that that has anything very much to do with the Question on the Order Paper. We are, of course, in continuous discussion with the United States and with our other allies and Commonwealth partners on all matters concerning Britain's defence role.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan GilesIn any discussions which the Prime Minister may have on this subject, will he bear in mind the moral responsibility which Her Majesty's Government have for continuing our contribution to peace-keeping in the Far East? Will he also bear in mind particularly our obligations towards Australia and New Zealand?
§ The Prime MinisterI have answered this on a number of occasions and in speeches outside the House, including my speech to the Australia Club when Mr. Holt was in this country. We accept all the obligations set out in the Defence White Paper. However, we insist that they be carried out with the maximum degree of economy, and the maximum degree of value for money, which has long been lacking in our defence posture overseas.
§ Sir Alec Douglas-HomeApart from our particular role in the Far East, is it not very important that discussions should now take place between United States and the S.E.A.T.O. partners as to the future collective security aspect of South-East Asia and particularly to try to organise some collective security system by Asians for Asians with Western backing? Has the right hon. Gentleman promoted anything of that kind?
§ The Prime MinisterThe right hon. Gentleman, who is always very well informed on these matters, will not have omitted to read all that went on in the recent Canberra Conference of S.E.A.T.O., in which particular emphasis was laid, as the right hon. Gentleman is laying it, on action by Asian countries in their own self-defence. This was one of the central themes of the Canberra Conference of S.E.A.T.O. The right hon. Gentleman will be further aware that my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary took the opportunity afforded by that visit for very far-reaching discussions on Asian defence 1441 and Asian partnership with Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
§ Mr. Frank AllaunWould my right hon. Friend tell the President that last week Mr. McNamara, in an interview, had the effrontery to say that it is essential that Britain keeps her troops east of Suez? Would he tell the President that we shall not bankrupt ourselves just to satisfy Washington?
§ The Prime MinisterI am sure that the President will be well aware of statements made by members of his Cabinet. I am sure that the President will be aware of our policy on defence and foreign affairs set out in the Defence White Paper approved by the House before the General Election and subsequently in debate.