out in 1976.
Elsewhere we have concluded that substantial reductions
in our forces and defence facilities are both possible and necessary, but i
in particular cases we have had to bear in mind the possibility that our
withdrawal, particularly in the short term, might give rise to political
difficulties which would not be commensurate with the savings we would
achieve. We shall therefore discuss our proposals in detail with our
•
7
allies and partners before taking final decisions, recognising that the
timing and method of the changes we propose may be of particular importame..
6.
Subject to these provisos I wish to tell the House what we have
in mind.
}
We are not proposing any change in the military facilities
agreement concluded in 1972 with the Government of Malta which runs until
1979. We propose to withdraw from Cyprus the air squadrons permanently
stationed there. We intend to withdraw our forces stationed under
the Five Power Defence Agreement with the exception of a small group
which we propose to retain at the Integrated Air Defence Centre.
The consultative provisions of the Agreement would however remain in
force and it would certainly be our intention to maintain olose links
with the armed forces and defence authorities of our partners. We
would propose to withdraw from Brunei the Gurkha Battalion at present
stationed there. We would wind up the modest facilities which we have
in Gan and Mauritius. We do not think it would be right in present
circumstances to make any changes in the arrangements we have with the