§ 26. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what consultations have taken place or are being considered between Her Majesty's Government and the Governments of the Federation of Malaysia, of Australia and of the United States of America with a view to improving relationships with the Government of the Philippines.
§ Mr. SandysNone, Sir. The relations between the Philippines and Britain are normal. I naturally hope that the same can soon be said of their relations with Malaysia.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes the right hon. Gentleman, feel that they are really normal, seeing that considerable hostility has been expressed by the Philippines to one partner in the Com- 462 monwealth? Surely we have a moral obligation to do all that we can to try to minimise this hostility and, if possible, remove it. In these circumstances, will not the right hon. Gentleman take action to confer with the Government of Malaysia and other Governments who are affected in order completely to remove the last vestiges of hostility, which is now declining but which still exists in the Philippines?
§ Mr. SandysWe feel that it is better to leave these two independent countries to seek a solution of their differences in their own way. We are hopeful that the talks which have recently taken place through the good offices of the Siamese Government will lead to some solution.