§ 33. Major Wallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement about the recent reaffirmation of Yemen's claim to sovereignty over Aden.
§ Mr. Selwyn LloydThis matter was raised at the recent talks in London during the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Badr from 10th to 20th November. It was not possible to reconcile our points of view on this issue. Nevertheless, I believe that the friendly personal relations and good will which were established during the visit—to which His Royal Highness made an important personal contribution—may make it easier to discuss questions of mutual concern in the future.
It is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to utilise any opportunity which offers to exchange views with the Government of His Majesty the imam and to reach agreements which will remove causes of friction. We sincerely desire friendly relations with the Yemen. I intend to continue to try to secure these objectives.
§ Major WallWhilst agreeing that we desire friendly relations with the Yemen, may I ask my right hon. and learned 1151 Friend to make it quite clear that, although Her Majesty's Government would agree to discussing frontier rectifications, they cannot agree to any claim of foreign sovereignty over Aden?