HC Deb 01 April 1974 vol 871 c289W
Mr. Royle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will maintain Great Britain's obligation to Brunei under the 1971 amending agreement to the 1959 Treaty; and, in view of the assurance given by the Minister of State on 27th March regarding Hong Kong, if he will confirm that Great Britain will maintain the Gurkha battalion administered from Hong Kong and paid for by His Highness the Sultan's Government in Brunei.

Mr. Ennals

As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence announced to the House on 21st March—[Vol. 870, c.153–4]—the Government have initiated a review of all defence commitments and capabilities. I would not wish to anticipate the results of that review. This reply in no way modifies the assurance I gave on 27th March reaffirming Britain's commitments to Hong Kong.