Malaysia and Singapore

HC Deb 18 January 1967 vol 739 cc55-6W

37. Mr. Stratton Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what Royal Air Force aircraft and personnel are at present in Sarawak and Sabah; and what proposals he has for continuing current air assistance to the Government of Malaysia to enable them to deal with the estimated 1,000 Communist guerillas operating inside the Federation.

Mr. Healey

At present there are 50 Royal Air Force officers and 470 airmen, together with thirteen aircraft, in East Malaysia. As regards the second part of the Question, the assistance will continue to take the form of help with running the airfields in East Malaysia and the air supply of Malaysian troops in inaccessible areas.

44. Mr. James Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what approach has been made to the Australian Government with a view to their sharing the cost of the Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force bases on Singapore island and in the Malay peninsula.

Mr. Healey

We share with the Australians the cost of certain facilities that are used in common, and we charge the Australian Government for services that we provide for their forces.

Mr. Palmer

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what forces the Government intend to keep available for the defence of Singapore and Malaysia; and for how long.

Mr. Healey

Forces will not be earmarked specifically for the defence of Malaysia and Singapore. Forces stationed there will be available to meet other commitments besides that. Equally, forces stationed in the United Kingdom and else- where will be available for this purpose if necessary.

Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why he intends to retain at least 30,000 out of the 50,000 British Service men in Malaysia and Singapore following the ending of confrontation; and if he will consider bringing far more of them home.

Mr. Healey

I have not decide to retain any fixed number of British Service men in Malaysia and Singapore. I shall bring home as many as I can, as soon as I can, consistent with our ability to discharge our continuing defence responsibilities in the Far East.