YEMEN (Hansard, 19 December 1962)

§ 9. Mr. Biggs-Davison
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he is satisfied that the good offices of the United States have succeeded sufficiently in securing the ending of Egyptian military intervention in Yemen to render it unnecessary for the matter to be raised by Her Majesty's Government as a threat to peace; and if, 1251 having regard to the threat to British interests, and to the integrity of Aden, he will make a statement.

§ Mr. P. Thomas
The Yemeni republican authorities have made an announcement about their discussions with the United States Government. I should prefer not to comment in advance of any statement by the United States Government on this subject, and until we have studied the Yemeni republican authorities' announcement.

§ Mr. Biggs-Davison
May we be assured that Her Majesty's Government will not recognise the republican régime in the Yemen, and may we be assured also that they will continue to recognise the legitimate Government of the Yemen? Further, will the Government bring to the notice of the United Nations the indiscriminate bombing of civilians and villages in the Yemen by Russian aircraft of the Egyptian Air Force?

§ Mr. Thomas
There is a later Question on the Order Paper about recognition. I should prefer not to comment on the second part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question until we have studied the statement which has just been issued.

§ 14. Mr. Oram
asked the Lord Privy Seal whether Her Majesty's Government will now give diplomatic recognition to the republican régime in the Yemen.

§ 17. Mr. Dugdale
asked the Lord Privy Seal if he can yet state whether Her Majesty's Government intend to recognise the Government of Brigadier Salaal in the Yemen.

§ Mr. P. Thomas
I have nothing to add to my right hon. Friend's statement during the debate on the Address on 31st October.

§ Mr. Oram
Is it not clear that the new régime in the Yemen has come to stay and that the Imam's régime which it replaced was of an extremely reactionary and repressive character? Would not British recognition, added to American recognition, which appears to be imminent, do much towards settling affairs in Southern Arabia generally?

§ Mr. Thomas
My right hon. Friend told the House what were, broadly, the criteria for recognition, and Her Majesty's Government at the moment do 1252 not think that those criteria have been fulfilled.

§ Mr. Dugdale
May I ask the hon. Gentleman two supplementary questions. First, what is the position of our representative in the Yemen? Why did the Foreign Secretary give instructions that he was not on any account to see the six Members of Parliament who visited the Yemen recently in contradistinction to the extreme courtesy shown by the American representative to us? Secondly, has the hon. Gentleman seen the article in The Times today making it clear that recognition of the Yemen on the part of the United States is imminent? Does he want to wait once again until America has taken the lead? Cannot he take the lead in this case instead of waiting for the Americans?

§ Mr. Thomas
As to the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, our representative in the Yemen is the Minister in Taiz, Mr. Gandy. It is entirely wrong to say that my noble Friend the Foreign Secretary gave instructions to Mr. Gandy that he should not afford the usual courtesies to the visiting delegation of Members of Parliament. We expect to hear from Mr. Gandy on this subject, and I will let the right hon. Gentleman know as soon as we hear from him why he was not able to meet the delegation.
On the second part, I have seen Press reports that recognition by the United States Government is imminent. Her Majesty's Government are entirely at one with the United States Government in their objective of limiting the conflict and ending outside intervention. The decision to afford recognition is, however, one which every Government must take for themselves in the light of their own criteria for recognition. We are keeping the matter under constant review.

§ Mr. W. Yates
In view of the confirmed reports that the United States Government are going to recognise the Yemen Republic in the course of today, and in view of the close, friendly and cordial relationships between President Kennedy and the Prime Minister now, would it not be more becoming for Her Majesty's Government to recognise the Yemen Republic today? If this cannot 1253 be done today, may we expect a statement tomorrow?

§ Mr. Thomas
I do not think I can add anything to the reply which I gave to the right hon. Member for West Bromwich (Mr. Dugdale), who asked a similar question.

§ 15. Mr. Oram
asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will now conduct an inquiry into the allegations that British arms are being smuggled into the Yemen.

§ Mr. P. Thomas
No, Sir.

§ Mr. Oram
Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the statement by the Government of the United Arab Republic that they would be willing to withdraw their forces from the Yemen given a cessation of hostile activity by Saudi Arabia and Jordan? In view of the accusations made about British arms being involved in these matters, if we have nothing to hide would it not be better to have the matter thoroughly investigated?

§ Mr. Thomas
The Question is about British arms which were smuggled into the Yemen. I have heard that allegations have been made about this, and we have said that we would consider any evidence that was produced. So far, no evidence has been produced.

§ Sir P. Agnew
Will my hon. Friend direct British influence towards removing the foreign intervention by the United Arab Republic in the affairs of the Yemen so that the Imam may put down the rebellion and restore law and order? Is my hon. Friend aware that the group of individuals who visited the Yemen recently were not delegated by anybody except themselves to go there?

§ Mr. Thomas
I certainly accept the last part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question.

§ 16. Mr. Dugdale
asked the Lord Privy Seal what was his reply to the letter he had from Brigadier Salaal's Government in the Yemen asking Her Majesty's Government for assistance in the supply of 50,000 blankets.

§ Mr. P. Thomas
In response to their inquiry, the Yemeni republican authorities were informed that we were ready 1254 to ship 50,000 blankets immediately to any private buyer whom they cared to nominate.

§ Mr. Dugdale
Is it the case that only if a private buyer comes forward may these blankets be sent and that, even if the Government need them and even if the people are suffering intense hardship from cold, they are not allowed to have them unless a private buyer can step in and make his profit? Is that the only reason for the Answer?

§ Mr. Thomas
I think that the right hon. Gentleman appreciates that these are War Office surplus blankets. We could not sell them to the Yemeni republican authorities without recognising the republican Government.

§ Mr. Dugdale
May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether the letter has been—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I thought that the right hon. Gentleman was about to give notice. That was why I hesitated.