Federal Government (Administrative Headquarters)

HC Deb 12 February 1959 vol 599 cc1346-7

37. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when it is anticipated that operations will begin for the projected new town in the Aden Protectorate; and to what extent the Protectorate rulers will be co-operating in its implementation.

Mr. J. Amery

The new Federal Government will shortly start to build its administrative headquarters. The initiative in this lies with the Federal Government, though it can of course rely on the help and advice of the Governor of Aden Protectorate.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the Under-Secretary aware that when he says that the initiative has taken place on the part of the Governor, as I understand it, and the assumption is that the rulers will cooperate, it does not mean that they have been approached? May I ask specifically whether or not any approach about this town has been made to the native rulers and whether they are co-operating in the project?

Mr. Amery

I do not think the hon. Member can have heard my reply. I said that the initiative in this lies with the Federal Government, and the Federal rulers can rely on the help of the Governor. The initiative is theirs and not ours.