§ Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what form of military and technical aid has been given during the last 12 months to the Government of Sri Lanka; what discussions have taken place with the Government of Sri Lanka on the question of military assistance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonThe military and related assistance we provide to Sri Lanka is confined to the provision of training in the United Kingdom for individual members of the Sri Lankan armed services and police on the same basis as for other Commonwealth and friendly countries. Details were given in my answers to the hon. Member on 7 February at columns 659–60, and those given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence Procurement on 14 February at column 286. It is not the practice to reveal the contents of confidential 123W discussions with other Governments. The Sri Lankan Government are well aware that we have no intention of becoming involved in their internal affairs.