CAB148-30-Defence and Oversea Policy Committee Meetings Relating to 1967 Disturbances-1967 — Page 345

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agreement whereas we had no defence agreement with Singapore. There

were indications that the Prime Minister of Singapore was already

aware that a faster rundown night be in prospect since he had asked

the Prime Minister to call at Singapore on his return from Australia.

THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, summing up the discussion, said that the preponderant view in the Committee was that given the likelihood that

we should decide to accelerate our military withdrawal from Singapore

and Malaysia, the amounts of aid proposed by the Minister of Overseas Development up to 1970-71 were the least that we could expect to have to pay and that our offer to pay them should be made at once. Since opinion in the Committee was divided he would, however, raise the question with the Cabinet at their meeting that afternoon.

Prime Minister should be informed of the Cabinet's view in preparation

for his likely meeting with the Prime Minister of Singapore.

The

The Committee

Took note that the Foreign Secretary would seek a decision from the Cabinet that day on the amount and timing of the mitigating aid to be offered to Singapore and Malaysia.

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