§ 13. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what conclusions he has reached in respect of a proposed new constitution for Aden; what was the reason for the resignation of Mr. A. I. Sa'idi as Minister of Education and Immigration; and what submissions he has received concerning the fear that the prospective constitution may subjugate the present constitution of Aden Colony to the numerically larger protectorate.
§ Mr. H. FraserThe time for forming conclusions has not yet come; it will do so after my right hon. Friend has had conversations with Ministers of Aden Colony and the Federation in London. Mr. Sa'idi, while agreeing in principle with constitutional advance in Aden and closer association with the Federation, found himself unable to endorse unconditionally the proposals to which all other Ministers of the Colony and Federation subscribed on 17th May. The answer to the third part of the Question is "None".
§ Mr. SorensenWould not the hon. Gentleman agree that there is a genuine 1128 fear that this relatively democratic Colony may be subordinated to the quite undemocratic Protectorates? In these circumstances, will he see that this matter is fully borne in mind?
§ Mr. FraserI will certainly bear in mind what the hon. Member has said.
§ 17. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many working parties were appointed consequent upon the constitutional talks between Aden Colony and Protectorates: what were the detailed questions considered by each working party; what decisions were reached on the question of closer association between the territories; what other decisions were reached resulting from the talks; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. H. FraserSeven working parties were set up to consider questions relating to aviation, finance, education, health services, communications, public relations and public works. Their recommendations have been incorporated in the joint proposals put forward by the Federal and Colony Ministers which, as already announced, I and my right hon. Friend are shortly to discuss with those Ministers. My right hon. Friend hopes to make a statement after the talks.
§ Mr. SorensenDoes not the Minister consider it highly desirable that one or more of these working parties should apply their minds to the necessity of inducing the Protectorate rulers to introduce progressive measures of democratisation in view of the gross disparity in the internal structure of the Protectorate, on the one hand, and the Colony, on the other hand?
§ Mr. FraserI think that a working party would be an inappropriate method.
§ Mr. G. M. ThomsonIn reporting on these discussions, will the Minister consider publishing the reports of the working parties as a White Paper?
§ Mr. FraserThat is precisely one of the matters we will discuss when we meet the Ministers next week.