HL Deb 15 June 1966 vol 275 cc63-4

2.59 p.m.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what reductions are proposed in defence expenditure in South-East Asia, in view of the agreement in principle between Indonesia and Malaysia to end the military confrontation.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE ROYAL NAVY (LORD WINTERBOTTOM)

My Lords, for reasons given in another place by the Prime Minister yesterday, it is too soon to specify the reductions in Far East forces, and hence the reductions in defence expenditure, which may result from an ending of military confrontation between Indonesia and Malaysia.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that Answer, may I ask him whether it is not the case that the Malaysian Government itself has now asked for the withdrawal of British troops from Sarawak and Sabah on the ground that they are now a political complication of the difficult situation in those areas? And, if this is the case, will the Government take early steps to bring our troops back from those territories?

Lord WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I think it is true to say that both the Malaysian Government and the British Government are waiting for the Indonesian Government to ratify the verbal agreement reached in Bangkok. The Malaysian Government and Her Majesty's Government are in agreement that when this is done, British troops should be removed from North Borneo as soon as possible.

LORD CARRINGTON

My Lords, would the noble Lord confirm that the policy as stated in the White Paper of last February still stands, and that it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to maintain a significant military presence East of Suez?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, I can confirm that the policy set out in the Defence White Paper still stands.

LORD BROCKWAY

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether it is not the case that the cessation of confrontation between Indonesia and Malaysia will make a fundamental change in the whole political situation in South-East Asia? And may I have an assurance that the Government, in looking at our defence expenditure in South-East Asia, will take that fact into account?

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, this situation was foreseen in the Defence White Paper. I am certain that all of us, on all sides of the House, are glad that the pre-conditions laid down in the White Paper have been realised so soon.

LORD HENDERSON

My Lords, is the decision of the Government not dependent upon ratification of the agreement by both sides to it? At the present moment, the Indonesian Government has not ratified the agreement.

LORD WINTERBOTTOM

My Lords, my noble friend is entirely correct.