§ 21. Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether, and where, provision will be made for the basing of British forces in the South China seas after the withdrawal from Hong Kong.
§ Mr. HanleyWe have already agreed with the government of Brunei to continue the deployment of the Gurkha battalion in Brunei until 1998. Consideration will be given to a further extension in due course. We shall continue to participate in exercises held in Malaysia and Singapore under the five-power defence arrangements and make occasional naval deployments to the region.