f
QB.1 DOES THE UK INTEND TO INCREASE MILITARY STRENGTH EAST OF SUEZ
REVERSING THE FORMER GOVERNMENT POLICY? IF SO WHAT IS THE SITUATION IN THE IMMEDIATE NORTH OF AUSTRALIA?
QB.2 IF NOT, WHY NOT?
I think I have really answered the first part of your question.
Because of our long-standing associations with our four partner
countries, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore, and
also of the valuable economic interests which we have in South
East Asia, the security of Malaysia and Singapore against external
aggression must be of concern to us. That is common ground between
the two main political parties in my country. The former Labour
Government had made it clear that it was maintaining a general capability and would have been willing to deploy part of this in
Malaysia and Singapore if in its judgement circumstances had
demanded this. The impressive Five Power exercise, Exercise
BERSATU PADU, which took place this summer, was designed to demonstrate, and did indeed demonstrate, our capability to move significant forces to the area very quickly by air. The great difference between our policy and that of our predecessors is that
we are convinced of the necessity to retain British forces on the
spot, for the reasons I have already given.
I am not quite sure that I follow your other question about
the immediate north of Australia. I presume you are referring
to New Guinea. It is not the intention that Five Power defence
arrangements should apply to New Guinea: they will be confined to the Malaysia/Singapore area.
*h=3**HW» * ?!¥{q* £«