asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on British relations with Indonesia.

Relations with Indonesia remain good. The Indonesian Foreign Minister, Professor Mochtar, paid a successful visit to the United Kingdom as a guest of the Government, in November 1978. We attach much importance to our relationship with the Association of South East Asian Nations, of which Indonesia is an influential member.

How does my hon. Friend justify the sale of another eight Hawk ground attack aircraft to a country with such an appalling record on human rights? Do the Government approve of the annexation of East Timor by force, in which—even according to Mr. Adam Marley—60,000 members of the population of that country were killed?

We have not sold ground attack aircraft to Indonesia. The question under discussion has been the sale of Hawk aircraft which are suitable only for training. On the question of East Timor, I agree on the general importance of the principle of self-determination. We voted in the Security Council two or three years ago in favour of the application of that principle to East Timor.

Does the Under-Secretary accept that Indonesia is a vital link in the defence of South-East Asia against further Communist advance? Does he also accept that there is tremendous trade potential for the United Kingdom in Indonesia? Will he on all occasions extend every courtesy to the Indonesians so that trade with that country, which is friendly to the West, can continue to increase?

It would be an insult to Indonesia to regard that country simply as a bulwark against Communism in that area. Indonesia is an important country in its own right and one with which we have very good relations.