Situation

HC Deb 08 May 1958 vol 587 cc1401-3

20. Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will now make a statement on the situation in the Aden Protectorate.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Since I answered Questions by the hon. Members for Rugby (Mr. J. Johnson) and for Essex, South-East (Mr. Braine) on 1st May, security forces in the State of Lahej have uncovered a store of arms and explosives at Dar Saad. On the frontier, British troops on patrol in the area of Jebel Jihaf were fired upon by Yemeni heavy machine guns which had been set up on the Protectorate side of the frontier. When R.A.F. Venom aircraft retaliated against these positions they in turn were fired upon by the Yemenis, from across the frontier, by heavy machine guns located in and near fortified Yemeni barracks a mile west of Qataba, and on open ground to the east of that town. The Venoms therefore directed rocket and cannon fire against these machine gun emplacements and a field gun seen operating alongside.

In respect of the Yemeni attack across the boundary Her Majesty's Government have delivered a strong protest to the Yemeni Government and have sent to the Secretary-General for the information of the Security Council information about the military retaliation which we have had to take in self-defence.

Mr. Brockway

In view of the increasingly dangerous situation in the whole of this area, would the right hon. Gentleman consider, as the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has said he would, referring this matter to the United Nations, or accepting the offer of the Sultan of Lahej to act as mediator between the Yemeni Government and the British Government on these issues?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Under our agreements with and obligations to the United Nations, I think that our first duty is to try to arrive at a settlement with the country concerned. These provocative actions by the Yemeni Government have led to inevitable retaliation and we have every intention of protecting the people for whom we are responsible.

Mr. Bevan

Before the situation deteriorates further, will the right hon. Gentleman consider making a definite reference to the Security Council about the situation there, because this is little less than a state of war?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I have already said that we have notified the United Nations of the action that we have been obliged to take in self-defence. Our readiness to consult with the Yemen on matters of local concern has long been known.

Mr. Bevan

Is that quite the same thing as asking the Security Council to take action in the matter? To inform the Secretary-General is one thing; to invite intervention is another. Are we to allow this situation to deteriorate to a point where there might be an increase in hostilities day by day?

Mr. Dugdale

Would not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the best way of putting an end to these frontier skirmishes is to ask the United Nations if it will send observers and, if necessary, a small force in order to secure the frontier from such skirmishes?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The best way of ending these actions is by the Yemeni Government stopping their provocative actions.