§ Mr. Woodasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assurances he has given to Malaysia with regard to a British commitment to defend that country against external aggression after the end of 1971.
§ Mr. M. StewartWhen I saw the Tunku on 21st January I referred to the position established under the Anglo-Malaysian Defence Agreement, in which we undertook to consult together in the event of a threat of an armed attack and to co-operate with each other if there were to be such an attack. As regards the period after 1971, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the statement by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 17th June, 1968, when he said that the other four Commonwealth Governments understood that no British units will be based in the area after 1971 and that we shall therefore have to reach a new understanding about the Anglo-Malaysian Defence Agreement at the appropriate stage.—[Vol. 766, c. 713–22.]