§ Q3. Mr. Dalyellasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his official discussions in London with Lee Kuan Yew, Prime Minister of Singapore.
§ The Prime MinisterI was glad to meet Mr. Lee during his visit to London, when we had a useful and interesting discussion.
§ Mr. DalyellNow that there are new Governmentts in Canberra and Wellington, committed to the withdrawal of 618 troops, what are consequences for British policy as to the five-power agreement?
§ The Prime MinisterI am sorry, but I cannot agree with the hon. Gentleman that both Governments are committed to the withdrawal of troops from the five-power agreement. That is not what leaders of those parties have said since they became Prime Ministers.
§ Mr. HaselhurstMr. Lee must obviously be now wishing to have a close understanding with our Common Market partners about the future of his country, but what assurance was my right hon. Friend able to give the Singapore Prime Minister about our relations with Singapore in both defence and trade matters?
§ The Prime MinisterThe Prime Minister of Singapore has been kept in the closest touch during our negotiations to enter the Community. I know of no occasions on which he has ever made a complaint about this or arrangements with the Community. It is generally known that since his visit to London he has visited other capitals of the Community in order to discuss Singapore's affairs with them. But he knows that we wish to retain the closest relations in both trade and defence.