HC Deb 11 July 1966 vol 731 cc967-8
53. Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his recent tour of South-East Asia.

77. Mr. Colin Jackson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his visit to South-East Asia, with particular reference to his talks in Jakarta.

The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Michael Stewart)

I have nothing to add to my reply to Questions by the hon. Gentleman the Member for Richmond, Surrey (Mr. A. Royle) and my hon. Friend the Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) on 4th July; and my Written Replies to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire, South-East (Mr. Park) and the hon. Gentleman the Member for Richmond, Surrey on the same day.

Mr. Griffiths

The Foreign Secretary did, as he says, make a report on his visit to Jakarta. My question deals with the S.E.A.T.O. meeting and he has not reported to this House on that meeting. May I therefore ask him two questions? First, was the meeting a success in the sense that he was able to persuade our allies that the Prime Minister's threat to reduce British forces in the S.E.A.T.O. area is something which they should not worry about; and second—

Mr. Speaker

Order. That question is long enough.

Mr. Stewart

If the hon. Gentleman will study the various replies to which I have referred, he will see that although I did not make a statement on S.E.A.T.O., I did deal with it in reply to Questions. I cannot accept the implications of the rest of his question. The meeting was a success, though not in the sense which the hon. Gentleman has suggested.

Mr. Jackson

The Foreign Secretary last week did not actually mention the economic situation of Indonesia. I wonder whether he could give an indication of the progress that he may be making in rephasing the Indonesian debts?

Mr. Stewart

That matter is now under discussion in London. I cannot make a statement on it at present.

Lord Balniel

Was the right hon. Gentleman able to satisfy his colleagues in S.E.A.T.O. that we are able to fulfil our obligations, in view of our withdrawal from Aden, the decision not to go ahead with the carrier building programme, and the decision to undertake substantial reductions in our troops in the most dangerous area of the world?

Mr. Stewart

Yes, I was able to make clear to them, and I am sure it was understood, that we propose to honour our commitments under the S.E.A.T.O. Treaty and to maintain a substantial presence in this part of the world. Thas was well understood and well accepted.

Mr. Dalyell

Would my right hon. Friend consult the President of the Board of Trade about easing the export credit guarantee arrangements in relation to Indonesian tin dredgers?

Mr. Stewart

That is a rather different question.