§ 38. Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present position in regard to the negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the Imam of the Yemen; what other countries have already recognised the Imam; and what are the reasons for the delay in concluding an amicable treaty between Great Britain and the Imam?
§ Dr. SHIELSA reply has now been received to the letter addressed to the Imam of the Yemen by the Resident at Aden in pursuance of the correspondence to which I referred in my answer to the question addressed to me by the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Rear-Admiral Beamish) on the 14th April. The reply is under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to make a further statement. So far as I am, aware, the countries which have already recognised the Imam are Italy, Germany and the Soviet Union. The delay in concluding a treaty between this country and the Imam is due to his reluctance to give an adequate assurance against his encroachment on districts under the protection of His Majesty's Government.