§ 24. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the security situation in Malaysia in so far as British troops are concerned.
§ Mr. HealeyOur forces, together with Australian and New Zealand units, continue strongly to support the Malaysian forces in resisting Indonesian confrontation tactics. They have been remarkably successful lately in intercepting numerous raiding parties which the Indonesians have launched, usually at night, against Malaya and Singapore. Most Indonesian patrols venturing across the frontier in Borneo have also been driven back with losses. I regret that our own units have suffered a number of casualties in these sea and land operations.
§ Mr. WallI pay tribute to the success of our forces in Malaysia. Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that there are now enough British troops in that area? What effect is there on the Strategic Reserve from having to maintain large numbers of troops in South-East Asia?
§ Mr. HealeyI think that the best proof that we have enough forces in Malaysia at the present time is that we have succeeded in deterring large-scale conflict. The extraordinary fact, which I should like the House to note, is that, although we now have over 50,000 men in the Malaysian territories altogether, fewer than 50 men have been killed in actual fighting in the last two years, whereas the Indonesian casualties since they have been on the attack have been very substantially higher. These operations have had a serious effect on the available forces of the Strategic Reserve in this country. That is why on more than one occasion we have been obliged to ask our N.A.T.O. allies for permission, which they have readily granted, to withdraw units from Germany to meet the need in the Far East.
§ Mr. A. HendersonIs there any evidence of continued Indonesian build-up such as the deployment of regular forces and the establishment of supply dumps, indicating that the Indonesian Government may be ready for action on a greater scale than has taken place up to date?
§ Mr. HealeyMy right hon. and learned Friend will know that there has been a substantial reinforcement in South Kalimantan of Indonesian regular forces over the last six months. This is one of the reasons why we have been obliged to reinforce our own forces in North Borneo, though on a very much smaller 1568 scale. All the indications are that the steps we have taken have been successful in deterring any possible Indonesian attempt to launch a large scale attack, though we are permanently on our guard against such an eventuality.
The Earl of DalkeithAre Hovercraft being successful? If they are, have we a sufficient number of them?
§ Mr. HealeyWithout notice of that question, all I can say is that we have had, as the noble Lord will know, a Hovercraft evaluation team using Hovercraft in various operational conditions in Malaysia, but so far as I know—I shall correct this in writing at a later stage if I have this wrong—we have not actually used Hovercraft operationally in fighting so far. We are extremely interested in this development and are pursuing it with all vigour.
§ Mr. SoamesWould not the Secretary of State agree that the figures he has quoted are in themselves a great tribute to the efficiency, training and equipment of our forces in Malaysia?
§ Mr. HealeyYes; that is so. I am sure that the whole House would wish to join me in paying tribute to the enthusiasm and skill which our forces have shown in extremely trying operational circumstances.