Registry No.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret,
Secret.
Confidential.
Restricted.
Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
DRAFT
REPLY TO PQ
Type 1 +
From
To:-
Telephone No. Ext.
Department
DSR 11
REPLY
We have extensive interests in the large and important part of the globe which my Honourable Friend has designated 'East of Suez'. We prosecute our interests energetically in the light of the widely varying circumstances within the region. Our direct commitments include our responsibility for the remaining British Dependent Territories, and those arising from the bilateral and multilateral links of all kinds which we have with independent countries.
NOTES FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES
UK Military Presence
2.
The decisions of the Defence Review announced in the 1975 Defence White Paper concerning the presence of British Forces and the future of defence commitments outside the NATO area have been adhered to.
In particular, the major withdrawal from Singapore was completed by last April.
[If pressed on particular defence aspects:
detailed questions
on defence matters should be addressed to my Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Defence]
[If pressed on any of the following points:
a. Singapore: I have said that the Defence Review decision
to withdraw British Forces has been carried out. As the
House knows, we maintain a consultative commitment under the Five Power Defence Arrangements and make a small man- power contribution to the Integrated Air Defence System. [SEAD]
16.
D 107991 300,000 7/76 904 933
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