§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all meetings which Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia, or his staff, have had with officials of his Department, since March 1983 together with the persons attending and the substance thereof; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMy right hon. and learned Friend's most recent meetings with Dr. Mahathir were in July 1987 (during Dr. Mahathir's visit to the United Kingdom) and in April 1988 (during my right hon. and learned Friend's visit to Malaysia). I met Dr. Mahathir during the September 1987 CPA conference in Malaysia.
We have regular contact with the Malaysian Government on a wide range of issues, both in London and through our high commission in Kuala Lumpur. It is not our practice to give details of confidential exchanges with foreign Governments.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all representations since January 1981 of Her Majesty's Government to the Government of Malaysia concerning the Malaysian Government's "Buy British Last" policy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerWe took all suitable opportunities to impress on the Malaysians our concern about the "Buy British Last" policy. We were delighted when Dr. Mahathir ended the policy in April 1983, and have been gratified by the subsequent development of bilateral trade and all-round improvement in our relations.