§ Q4. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Prime Minister what inter-Departmental assessment was made in the examination of public expenditure, preceding the cuts announced on 16th January, of the effect of the announcement of military withdrawals east of Suez on arms and other export orders from the states thus to be deprived of British military assistance.
§ The Prime MinisterIn reaching the decisions that I announced on 16th of January, the Government gave appropriate weight to all relevant factors, including those mentioned by the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonDoes the Prime Minister regard it as purely coincidental that, so soon after the announcement of the decision to run out east of Suez, Britain lost the Saudi armoured car order to France?
§ The Prime MinisterI do not think that that has anything at all to do with the decision. There is certainly no evidence to suggest it. The hon. Gentleman will be pleased to know of the talks going on with Singapore and Malaysia for a considerable increase in shipments to those countries.