§ 6. Mr. Biffenasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the terms of the Treaty with Malaysia which permit or require the use of personnel in maintaining internal law and order there.
§ 52. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the provisions of the Treaty with Malaysia requiring the use of British personnel in maintaining internal law and order.
§ Mr. John MorrisThe provisions of the Anglo-Malaysian Defence Agreement are concerned with external defence and assistance in the training and development of the armed forces of the Federation of Malaysia. As has already been made clear by my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Air Force in another place on 12th June, the maintenance of civil law and order in the country is entirely a matter for the Malaysian Government, police and armed forces.—[OFFICIAL REPORT, House of Lords; Vol. 302, C. 771–2.]
§ Mr. BiffenMay we, then, assume that it will not be the policy of the Government to supply either equipment or personnel designed to promote the existing domestic political arrangements of Malaysia?
§ Mr. MorrisMy noble Friend the Under-Secretary dealt with the question of troops in another place. It is a hypothetical question. As regards the equipment, the Malaysian Government asked us whether we would supply some items of military equipment, and we have told them that we would be willing to supply the items requested, subject to their being available and to there being agreement on the method of payment.
§ Mr. DalyellMay we have a clear understanding that not even any scope for excuse will be given for people saying that we can be drawn into a conflict between Malays and Chinese?
§ Mr. MorrisI am confident that this would not be our intention.