§ 13. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the situation at Hodeida and in the Yemen?
§ Sir J. SIMONOn 1st May, His Majesty's Ship "Penzance" reported that the Yemeni civil and military autihorities 713 had withdrawn from Hodeida and that the local tribesmen Bad looted the Customs shed and arms depot belonging to the Yemeni Government. Private property was reported still intact. His Majesty's Ship "Penzance" at once proceeded to Hodeida in order to safeguard the interests of the British community there, consisting mainly of some 300 British Indians. AB a result of these precautions, no disturbances appear to have occurred in the town. On 5th May, the Saudi forces entered Hodeida and assumed complete responsibility for the maintenance of order in the town and for the protection of foreign life and property. His Majesty's Ship "Penzance" is still at Hodeida. Apart from the capture by Saudi forces of the Yemeni ports of Medi, Loheia and Hodeida, His Majesty's Government have no trustworthy information regarding the position in the Yemen. I would add, as to the general position, that His Majesty's Government have observed an attitude of strict neutrality towards the conflict between Ibn Saud and the Imam, with both of whom His Majesty's Government are on friendly treaty relations, taking only such measures as have proved essential for the safeguarding of lives and property of British subjects and British protected persons in the area affected by the hostilities.