§ 83. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement about his intentions regarding British forces in the Gulf; and what is his estimate of the annual expenditure in that sphere directly and overall, respectively;
(2) if he will make a statement about the retention of British military forces east of Suez; and if he will estimate the annual expenditure involved.
§ Lord BalnielIn the Gulf, as in the Far East, our objective is the promotion of peace and stability. My right hon. Friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary has started the process of consultation with our friends in the area of the Gulf in order to establish how this common objective may best be served.
In South-East Asia we are committed to maintain a British military presence as a contribution to Commonwealth defence arrangements in the area. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced in answer to Questions on 9th July, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence expects to leave for the area at the end of this month in order to enter into consultations with the Governments of Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand about the five-Power force and its make-up.
I am not in a position to make any statement until after these consultations have taken place and proposals have been worked out.—[Vol. 803, c. 844.]