HC Deb 03 December 1969 vol 792 c1471
13. Mr. Scott-Hopkins

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when it is proposed to hold training exercises in West Malaysia in 1970; what units will be involved; and for how long.

Mr. Hattersley

I have nothing to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence to the hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. van Straubenzee) on 15th October. —[Vol. 788, c. 380–381.]

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Is it not a fact that there is a large-scale exercise to be held in April? Is it not a fact also that units are going out from this country and that because of the acclimatisation problems they are having to wait for over six weeks before they can be committed to jungle training? Does this not point a moral?

Mr. Hattersley

Those facts are dealt with in the answer to which I referred. As to the conclusion, that must be the hon. Gentleman's own.

Mr. Tapsell

Will there be combined training exercises in which Australian forces will also take part?

Mr. Hattersley

The answer to that question was also in the original answer.