§ 26. Mr. Brockwayasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what conclusions have been reached in the official discussions with the four rulers of Western Aden Protectorates regarding the establishment of a federation of these territories; and what proposals have been made for increasing the provision of British defence forces.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI explained the result of my discussion with the Rulers from the Western Aden Protectorate in my reply to the question of the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) on 17th July. The Answer to the second part of the question is that it is not in the public interest to disclose what scales of British forces may be required in the Aden Protectorate or elsewhere from time to time.
§ Mr. BrockwayIn these discussions, will the right hon. Gentleman be careful not to establish an artificial structure which does not have the support of the people of the Protectorates?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThat will certainly not be an accurate description of the proposed federation.