§ 14. Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what requests have been received from the Government of Malaysia for financial assistance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. HartWe have received requests from the Government of Malaysia for aid for their economic development and also for the expansion of the Malaysian Armed Forces. The question of economic aid is one for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Overseas Development, but he has assured the Malaysian Government that our development aid will continue at about the same level this year as last—about £5 million. On defence aid about £2 million remains available from the 1963–65 grant of £14.5 million. We are also continuing to provide personnel on secondment and training facilities worth about £1.5 million in the current financial year.
§ Mr. OnslowHas the hon. Lady any evidence to suggest that the Malaysians are remotely satisfied with the sum of money which the Minister has mentioned? Does she not realise that they are likely to ask this country for very much larger sums if we are pulling out of this area?
§ Mrs. HartI think that the Malaysians understand very clearly that our present economic difficulties have precluded our making any further grants for defence equipment. On development aid, we have every reason to suppose that they completely understand our position.