HC Deb 21 January 1965 vol 705 cc396-7
Q4. Mr. Dodds-Parker

asked the Prime Minister what plans he has for initiating international talks regarding the task of any British Forces outside the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation area.

The Prime Minister

The vast majority of the tasks likely to be undertaken by British Forces outside the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation area would of course derive either from our obligations to the United Nations or from our treaty commitments. Moreover, we must always be ready to respond to the needs of our Commonwealth partners in the defence field. International consultation takes place as appropriate to define these tasks.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Can the Prime Minister assure the House that in the meantime our allies, and particularly those in the Commonwealth east of Suez, can count on the same support from his Administration as from that of my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. I am not quite sure whether the hon. Member was in the debate on these matters on 16th and 17th December but he will probably recall that in my own admittedly rather lengthy speech I devoted a very large proportion of that speech to this very subject. If the hon. Member would like to look at our record in assisting Malaysia to resist infiltration and aggression on the part of Indonesia, I hope that he will find that no words are needed in view of the deeds which we have been able to show to the world.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that west of that, on the Indian subcontinent, they can count on the same support from his Administration as they could look to from the previous one?

The Prime Minister

Obviously. We strongly supported the actions taken a year ago in all those territories. I think that it was a year ago at this very time when there were these sudden calls in respect of Kenya, Tanganyika, Uganda and other countries. We supported them and recognised the same obligation. One of the most important things here is to get our defence policies in relation to our commitments so that we can meet calls made upon us.