HC Deb 28 July 1966 vol 732 cc1888-90
Q1. Mr. Blaker

asked the Prime Minister whether the public statement by the Secretary of State for Defence at a Press conference in Kuala Lumpur on 5th July about the reduction of British forces in South-East Asia represents the policy of Her Majesty's Government.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Blaker

Is the Prime Minister aware that the Secretary of State said that it was the aim of the British Government to reduce British Forces in South-East Asia to the level planned before confrontation, that is to say, the level planned by a Conservative Government? Is that still the Government's policy, or do they intend further cuts in that area in pursuance of the package announced by the Prime Minister last week?

The Prime Minister

What my right hon. Friend said then is the policy of Her Majesty's Government. We do intend to reduce it, as he stated, but, as I have said a number of times, we are always on the watch to see if further economies can be made in order to reduce the overseas expenditure on our task in fulfilling our commitments.

Mr. Tapsell

How does the right hon. Gentleman intend to reconcile the Government's recent promise to Australia that we will maintain a substantial presence in the Far East with his almost simultaneous promise to his Parliamentary Party of massive reductions in our Forces there?

The Prime Minister

The phrase "massive reductions" referred to the reductions in the number of troops which we had there for confrontation. We plan to take them out and reduce in total to the number which would have been required if there had been no confrontation. There is nothing inconsistent with that statement in what was said to the Prime Minister of Australia.

Mr. Heath

How many troops will be brought back if the strength of the Forces is reverted to that before confrontation?

The Prime Minister

It has never been the practice to say exactly how many troops would have been in that area if it had not been for confrontation. My right hon. Friend refused to answer that Question when it was asked. As soon as we can make a fuller statement, we shall certainly do so.

Mr. Heath

Did the Secretary of State not mention a figure of 16,000?

The Prime Minister

He used that phrase. He said that he was using it purely as illustration. There was no decision at that time: it was early on in his visit. He has been looking hard at the question of how many ought to be brought out and how quickly.