§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give details of the operation Military Aid to the civilian community in Western Malaysia.
§ Mr. BoydenAt the request of the Malaysian Federal Land Development Authority, a team of about seventy Royal Engineers are undertaking a community development project at Bukit Mendi in Pahang. Work started in December, 1968, and will continue until the end of this year. During this period the team will construct 40 to 50 houses, a community centre and about 15 miles of roads and tracks. It will also dredge watercourses.
The Federal Law Development Authority is meeting those additional costs which the Army would not incur if the men involved were carrying out normal military training. These are estimated at $50,000 (approximately £7,000). As well as being of value to the Malasians, this project will be good training and experience for the men involved.