HC Deb 18 March 1959 vol 602 cc408-10
Mr. de Freitas

(by Private Notice) asked the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations whether he will make a statement on the activities of the R.A.F. Liaison Officer at Gan, in the Maldive Islands.

The Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr. C. J. M. Alport)

Major Phillips was resident in Ceylon for some forty years. During the course of this he had occasion to visit the Maldive Islands frequently in pursuit of his interest in ornithology. As a consequence, he was able to learn something of the Maldivian language and to achieve friendly relations with the islanders. Such knowledge is almost unique, because no Europeans are normally resident in the islands.

When the United Kingdom Government decided, in agreement with the Maldivian Government, to re-establish an air staging post on Gan Island, they were fortunate to obtain the services of Major Phillips to act as liaison officer. He is known as Adviser on Maldivian Affairs to the R.A.F. in Gan. The Maldivian Government agreed to this appointment, the practical utility of which is evident.

The United Kingdom Government categorically deny statements put out by representatives of the Maldivian Government that Major Phillips is responsible for the revolt of the three southern atolls of Addu, Fua Muluku and Huvadu. The people of these southern atolls have for some time had a number of grievances which, they claim, arise out of the treatment accorded to them by the Maldivian Government at Male.

Towards the end of 1958 the Maldivian Government began to withhold from those Adduans who had been recruited by them to work for the R.A.F. the wages due to them. At the end of December an emissary of the Maldivian Government, Mr. Ahmed Zaki, who is their representative in Colombo, went to Gan to announce substantial increases of taxation and to forbid them to work for the R.A.F. This led to a riot on 2nd January, directed against Mr. Zaki, who sought the help of Major Phillips and the Commanding Officer of the R.A.F. detachment on the island.

I can best describe the incident in Mr. Zaki's own words in a statement given to the Press by him on his safe arrival in Colombo: I must say that I am most deeply grateful to the R.A.F. authorities, especially to Wing Commander Kent, the Commanding Office' there, and Major W. W. Phillips, who kept awake from 4 a.m. and kept a non-stop vigil and afforded every possible protection for me until I left by a special plane on the 2nd of January, arriving at Colombo at 8.45 p.m. My Government appreciates this fine gesture and my thanks go out to Group Captain H. D. Newman, the Air Adviser in the High Commission, who personally piloted a special plane to Colombo to fetch me back. Major Philips, who is 67 years old, only undertook this appointment on the under- standing that it would be on a very temporary basis. It did not prove easy to find a successor and he agreed, with great public spirit, to extend his tenure of the appointment beyond November, 1958, when it would normally have expired. Major Phillips has, since December, strongly represented to us his wish to be relieved of his appointment and steps were taken some time ago to select a successor.

Mr. de Freitas

It is obvious that Major Phillips is a man of some parts, but is it not equally obvious that right from the beginning there should have been a British political resident at Gan rather than give the impression that the Service Departments were taking on political responsibilities? Will the Under-Secretary keep the House informed, in view of the serious developments on the island?

Mr. Alport

I assure the hon. Member—and I have given the correct title that Major Phillips has while on his duties in Gan—that although he is in close contact with and assists the Royal Air Force in all ways, he is responsible to the High Commissioner in Colombo. To that extent, I suppose, he could be regarded as a political liaison officer. Concerning further developments, when it is appropriate and necessary we will certainly keep the House in touch with these events.

Mr. Belleager

Although it is understandable that foreign Governments have the right to protest to Her Majesty's Government about any British subjects who may be persona non grata, will the hon. Gentleman take a firm stand against what seem to be libellous statements made by a foreign Government in the case of a British citizen who, at least, is persona grata with his own Government?

Mr. Alport

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman. I am particularly glad to have this opportunity of clearing the reputation of Major Phillips, who, at great cost to himself and in the service not only of the United Kingdom but, as we had hoped, in the service of good relations between the United Kingdom and the Maldive people, undertook this commitment when there was no call on him to do so other than from a high sense of duty on his part.