§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, following the recent Australian, New Zealand and United States Defence Pact meeting in Wellington, what further representations he has received from allied and Commonwealth Governments about British withdrawals from the Far East; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. William RodgersNo representations have been made to us by the A.N.Z.U.S. countries since their recent meeting. But at the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation Council Meeting in Wellington, which preceded the A.N.Z.U.S. Meeting in Wellington, there was discussion of the implications of our decision to withdraw our military forces from Singapore and Malaysia. The Council welcomed the assurance given by my right hon. Friend the Commonwealth Secretary that Her Majesty's Government would continue to contribute to the progress, stability and security of South-East Asia through membership of the South-East Asia Treaty Organisation and in other ways.