HC Deb 31 January 1962 vol 652 c1066
2. Mr. Cronin

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement on the future operational rôle of the Royal Air Force units in South-East Asia.

Mr. Amery

These units are deployed to assist in the defence of Malaya, for Commonwealth defence and for the preservation of peace in South-East Asia.

Mr. Cronin

Could the right hon. Gentleman elaborate that a little more? Is he not aware that the radius of action of all the aircraft which are stationed in Butterworth and Singapore Island itself is well inside the limits of any prospective enemy target?

Mr. Amery

I am anxious not to offend the Chinese affiliations which the hon. Member has recently registered, but we aim to provide a balanced force of air defence, strike and reconnaissance aircraft in the theatre, and I think we can achieve this.