§ Mr. DoverTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how the role of the Royal Navy will be affected by withdrawal from Hong Kong. [4493]
§ Mr. SoamesThe UK's wider interest in security in the region will not diminish when the sovereignty of Hong Kong is transferred to China next year. The Royal Navy will continue to deploy to the far east, as it has done traditionally. In addition to our continuing commitment to the five powers defence agreement—FPDA—we will continue our programme of bilateral defence contacts with our friends in the region.