§ 52. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requests Her Majesty's Government received from Malaysia for military assistance in connection with the restoration of law and order after the recent disturbances and what replies were given.
§ Mr. WhitlockNone, Sir.
§ Mr. Biggs-DavisonIs it the case that no request for arms was made? Secondly, can the hon. Gentleman say whether the whole question of Commonwealth assistance, particularly against subversion, will be fully discussed at Canberra?
§ Mr. WhitlockThe Malaysian Government recently asked us if we would supply some items of military equipment and we have told the Malaysian Government that we would be willing to supply the items requested subject to their being available and to there being an agreement on the method of payment.
§ Mr. RichardIs it not very important that we should avoid giving any appearance of taking sides in this Malaysian problem, particularly having regard to the legitimate sensibilities of Singapore? Secondly, if there is to be any real and lasting settlement inside Malaysia, is it 957 not very important that the Malaysian Government should be under no illusion but that it is Her Majesty's Government's opinion that it can be achieved only on the basis of a truly multi-racial society?
§ Mr. WhitlockI fully agree with my hon. Friend on the latter point. Britain is the traditional supplier of military equipment to Malaysia and the Malaysian armed forces already use mostly British equipment.