Mr. Alan WilliamsTo ask the Prime Minister what discussions took place between the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence prior to the Secretary of State's March 1988 visit to Malaysia about the range of subjects to be covered in the protocol; to what extent the question of civil aid was considered; what documentation is held at No. 10 Downing street and the Cabinet Office reporting on the progress of the negotiations in Kuala Lumpur; and how the Prime Minister's office was kept informed of the progress of the negotiations.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 9 March 1994]: In January 1988 my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence wrote to ministerial colleagues to secure agreement to the signing of a protocol covering the purchase of defence equipment by the Malaysian Government. This exchange made no mention of civil aid. No. 10 files confirm that the Prime Minister's office was informed about the negotiations in Kuala Lumpur, and the inclusion of the paragraph on civil aid, only after the protocol had been signed.