HC Deb 12 February 1958 vol 582 cc390-1
45. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a further statement in regard to British diplomatic representation in the Yemen.

46. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement about the expulsion from his post of Her Majesty's chargé d'Affaires in Taiz.

Commander Noble

On the 27th January the Yemeni chargé d'Affaires in London conveyed orally to the Foreign Office a request from his Government for the withdrawal of Her Majesty's chargé d'Affaires at Taiz. As no reasons were given for this request the Yemeni chargé d'Affaires was asked to inquire from his Government what they were. The Yemeni Government have still not furnished any reasons, but in view of the embarrassing situation in which Her Majesty's chargé d'Affaires has been placed by this request my right hon. and learned Friend has now instructed him to leave the Yemen. Her Majesty's Legation at Taiz has not been closed.

Mr. Sorensen

Does that mean that a substitute has been supplied in place of that gentleman who has been withdrawn? In view of the considerable amount of disturbance to mind as well as in fact in that area, is there any likelihood of a conference between the Yemeni authorities and representatives of Her Majesty's Government about all the matters causing confusion and misunderstanding?

Commander Noble

I am not sure whether I heard aright the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question in which, I think, he asked whether the chargé d'Affaires would be replaced. That has not been decided. As I think he knows, the Crown Prince of the Yemen was in London last summer and considerable consultations took place.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend assure the House that the Government have appropriate action in mind to meet this very unsatisfactory situation?

Commander Noble

Yes, we are most certainly pressing the Yemeni Government to give their reasons for declaring the chargé d'Affaires persona non grata.

Mr. Sorensen

It may be that the right hon. and gallant Gentleman misunderstood my supplementary question, so may I explain that I did not refer to the Yemeni chargé d'Affaires but to our own British diplomatic representative?

Commander Noble

Exactly. As I said, it has not yet been decided whether to replace him.