HC Deb 23 April 1958 vol 586 cc943-4
19. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the situation on the Aden-Yemen border, following the recent British note of protest to the Government of the Yemen.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

On numerous occasions in the last few months Yemeni forces have violated the Aden Protectorate frontier, have attacked our forts and members of the security forces, and have fired heavy machine-guns, mortars and artillery across the border. I have protested strongly to the Yemeni Government. These attacks have also been brought to the attention of the United Nations in two letters dated 6th March and 17th April addressed to the Secretary General for the information of the Security Council. Our forces have taken measures necessary to defend themselves when they have been attacked.

Mr. Henderson

Why cannot the Government propose the appointment of a United Nations commission to demarcate the Yemen-Aden frontier, and also the appointment of United Nations observers on the frontier to check possible border aggression? Is it not better to take action before trouble, rather than after it?

Mr. Lloyd

I have nothing to add today to the Answers I have given on the subject before, but I draw the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that on 17th April we caused a statement on the latest state of affairs to be addressed to the Secretary General of the Security Council.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether Her Majesty's Government would be prepared to accept a United Nations commission? Is not this an absolutely vital point?

Mr. Lloyd

Whether the time is ripe and whether the procedures of the United Nations are most appropriate for dealing with this matter are subjects which must be considered. As I have said before, this is a matter which we have under consideration.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

Is not this a matter in which there has been firing between two members of the United Nations over a long period of time? Is it not now time that we took our responsibilities under the Charter seriously and laid the matter properly before the United Nations?

Mr. Lloyd

I certainly think that this is a matter which requires consideration. The point is, I believe, that the United Nations should be used as an instrument of reconciliation. The fact of the matter is that in certain places the frontier is not demarcated. There are certain clear treaty rights. For the moment, I must leave the position as I have stated it.

Mr. Henderson

Will the Foreign Secretary clear up this point? Do I understand him to say that the possibility of stationing United Nations observers on the frontier has not been ruled out by Her Majesty's Government?

Mr. Lloyd

Certainly not, Sir.