§ 27. Mr. Blakerasked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements exist through the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation for ensuring that the military lessons learnt by British forces in East Malaysia are made available to the Thai authorities to assist them in resisting subversion in Thailand.
§ Mr. HealeyAbout 50 Thai soldiers a year attend our training courses. We also provide much written material on countering subversion to the Thais and to our other Allies in S.E.A.T.O.
§ Mr. BlakerWould the right hon. Gentleman agree that one of the most impressive things about the campaign in East Malaysia was the way in which the British forces succeeded in winning the hearts and minds of the local population? Do the arrangements to which he has referred, and which I welcome, cover passing on that sort of lesson to the Thais?
§ Mr. HealeyI am grateful to the hon. Member. The whole House should recognise that the hearts and minds campaign, as it was called in Malaysia, played no less a rôle in securing ultimate victory than did the continuous jungle patrolling by our forces. We certainly made this point to all our allies of the area.
§ Mr. DalyellDoes my right hon. Friend see in the build-up in Thailand a sinister resemblance to the early stages in Vietnam?
§ Mr. HealeyNo, Sir.