§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Defence why the Minister of Defence for the Navy went to the Far East; which places he visited; and if he will make a statement on the conditions in which members of the British forces there are living.
§ Mr. MayhewThe main purpose of my visit to Singapore and Hong Kong was to examine at first hand the conditions in which the Far East Fleet is operating against Indonesian "confrontation". I also discussed with its Commanders and with Malaysian leaders the present operational situation there. As I expected, I found that the Far East Fleet is doing a fine professional job, but often in very uncomfortable conditions, especially afloat in some of our older ships. As a result of my visit I am working on a number of ideas for improving those conditions.